Self-Actualization is an Act of Social Responsibility
Self-actualizers make the world a better place to live
Self-actualization is becoming the best version of what we are. According to Abraham Maslow, the father of humanistic philosophy, it is “becoming everything you are capable of becoming — -(a) musician must make music, an artist paint, a poet must write if he is to be ultimately happy.”
The history of civilization has been a story of untapped human talent and unexpressed human genius. Many reach their graves, without realizing their potential.
There are several reasons people live as who they are instead of who they could be. According to Abraham Maslow’s pyramid of human needs, one has to realize basic needs such as food, shelter, security, and growth needs such as loving relationships and self-esteem before they can realize their potential.
Poverty and hardships make it difficult for people to achieve their best. Even when the basic and growth needs have been met, sheer inertia makes people ignore their potential and lead unremarkable lives.
It is the self-actualizers. whatever be their field of activity, who have moved the wheel of human progress most. Imagine if Albert Einstein had continued to work as a Swiss patent office clerk without tapping into his scientific and creative talent? Would America have become a great nation but for the work of self-actualized leaders like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington?
Self-actualization is viewed as a triumph of individualism over the tyranny of collectivism. This popular narrative misses an important truth about human existence.
The self is part of society. There is no conflict between the self and society. Can the self exist without society? The inner self can exist on its own, but the external self that interacts with the outside world is integral to society.
Self-actualization is twice blessed. It enhances the well-being of actualized individuals and contributes to society’s social, cultural, intellectual, economic, and spiritual capital.
Maslow considered self-actualization as a default state of human existence: “I think of the self-actualizing man, not as an ordinary man with something added, but rather as the ordinary man with nothing taken away.”
If humans are hard-wired for self-actualization, why is it that many people cannot do so? It is because people are not trying enough, not being authentic to themselves.
It is people’s failure to self-actualize that is responsible for the prevalence of violence, conflict, and injustice in this world. When people are stuck in their safety modes of existence, they don’t feel the need to explore, seek meaning and purpose or reach transcendental states.
Self-actualizers have certain attitudes, traits, and habits that predisposes them to a state of mental peace, calm, and well-being. They will behave with restraint, love, and common sense instead of getting caught in the whirlpool of violence and hatred.
They are present in the moment
They live in the ‘Now’ without being manipulated by the unconscious mind. They are fully absorbed in the present without being trapped in the past or threatened by an imaginary future.
They are aware of their choices
They make a distinction between good and bad choices. They do not act impulsively. They weigh the pros and cons of their decisions.
They know themselves well
With a high self-awareness, the self-actualized people know their inner selves better than others. They are not distracted by the pressure from peers or social norms. They possess a high degree of self-acceptance.
They take responsibility for their actions
They possess a high degree of integrity and conscientiousness. Self-responsibility makes them behave always ethically.
They are realistic and spontaneous
The self-actualized are not seduced by grand utopian ideals that cloud their objectivity. They have their feet firmly planted on the ground.
Their integrity makes them behave spontaneously without hiding their emotions for the sake of politeness or political correctness.
They have frequent peak experiences that make them tolerant and wise.
A peak experience is when one transcends the barriers of perception and has a vision of a higher reality. While experiencing a peak, one is struck with a sense of awe and humility. It is a spiritual experience where the seekers recognize the essential unity of life.
Transcendental states like peak experiences make us philosophical and humble. Petty differences and quarrels will seem insignificant in the larger design of life.
The world seems conflict-prone because people cannot be authentic to their true selves. Inauthenticity traps people in cocoons of cognitive biases and prejudices.
Life in most societies is more secure and comfortable than it was fifty years ago. People are poised to self-actualize without having to struggle to meet basic needs or growth needs. Governments and societies must do their part in promoting fairness, justice, and social cohesion.
Self-actualization is an act of social responsibility.
The more people self-actualize, the more peaceful the world will be.
Thanks for reading.