Embracing complex realities is the key to a peaceful world

 

Letter to Editor

As I was reflecting on the current war in the Middle East in relation to Gaza and the latest war where America and Israel have jointly attacked Iran, there were certain questions that came to my mind on what constitutes good diplomacy that could avoid war.

In relation to that, what were the thinking patterns in diplomacy that could lead to war and violence and what are the thinking patterns that could have triggered conscience and avoided war?

What was the necessary approach when one engages in diplomatic negotiations with a perceived enemy to bring peace ?

What came to my mind is a book I read many years ago that gave me some insights.

The book was “The Road Less Traveled” by renowned psychiatrist the late Dr M. Scott Peck.

In the book Peck argues that simplistic thinking—the desire for easy answers, quick fixes and the avoidance of complex problems—is a primary cause of mental illness, unhappiness, and stagnant spiritual growth. He presents this tendency as a “laziness” that prevents us from facing realities of life.

One could find a parallel in Peck’s assertion on how the current world leaders address current war and conflict in a complex world.

Their desire rooted in self interest, easy answers and reasons to a complex problem has caused endless wars and conflicts.

If one places it in a spiritual perspective it is to do with the ego that indulges in either this or that, black or white without exploring truths beyond one’s assumption.

For example, the occupation and blockade of Palestinian lands over the decade has been simplified and nullified by the mere blaming of Hamas for the Oct 7 episode that left 1,200 people killed on the Israeli side and the subsequent Israeli bombardment of Gaza where more than 70,000 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed.

The Iran nuclear negotiations have been narrowed down to nuclear issues and threat of ballistic missiles from the Iranian side.

Meanwhile, the bigger and more complex issue of American-Israeli interest in the region that had deprived nations around it of their sovereignty have been avoided in any diplomatic discussion and solution.

In Malaysia, certain simplistic ethno-religious politicians believe that by merely installing a theocratic state, the issue of morality and corruption could be resolved.

However, it is not as simple as there are complex issues related to the type of religious ideology among certain religious followers that portrays the world from a moralistic black and white thinking framework that rejects valuable and complex information from those they disagree with.

Such an attitude denies the reality of inequality and the complex realities of economy and finance that requires the experience of lived reality.

Unless one is able to absorb complex variables through more information from one’s perceived enemy with the sense of wanting to do the right thing, one will end up with egoistic prejudices and lack of trust.

The current war in the Middle East and the ethno-religious polarisation in Malaysia is a consequence of avoiding complex information and reality.

Therefore it is vital to emphasise that how one thinks of society and governance, determines the outcomes of whether a solution will be durable or short term.

In this regard it is vital for the education curriculum in the country to inculcate the importance of thinking broadly, and not seeking easy ideological or religious answers to difficult problems.

How one perceives complex realities in familial, political, social and economic settings is critical for a just and peaceful world. 

 Ronald Benjamin is a human resources practitioner based in Ipoh. He is currently secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 

- Focus Malaysia.