1. To explore the classical and renaissance traditions of East and West and their continuing relevance to emerging modes and patterns of living.
Understanding contemporary global culture requires examining the enduring wisdom of classical and renaissance traditions from both East and West. By identifying connections between past and present, we lay stronger foundations for the future. This process involves studying broad perspectives and specific practices from history in the context of current human needs and aspirations.
2. To renew the universal vision behind the American Dream through authentic affirmations of freedom, excellence, and self-transcendence in an ever-evolving Republic of Conscience.
Revitalizing the American Dream requires not only a deep appreciation of its ideals but also a thoughtful application of its principles in modern life. Authentic affirmation calls for questioning assumptions about national identity, exploring diverse perspectives, and testing values such as freedom, excellence, and self-transcendence. This effort is strengthened through the study of democratic history and the original thinkers who shaped its vision.
3. To honor, through appropriate observance, the contributions of men and women of all ages to world culture.
Recognizing the lives and legacies of those who have shaped our world deepens our humanity and broadens our vision. The noble achievements of exemplary individuals serve as a rich source of inspiration and enrichment for both present and future generations.
4. To enhance the enjoyment of creative artistry and craftsmanship from all cultures.
Art, in all its expressions, reveals profound truths about human existence. It reflects our innate desire to communicate through symbols and forms. The creative process unites artists, philosophers, and scientists, and embodies the same impulse that fuels both innovation and tradition.
5. To deepen awareness of the universality of humanity’s spiritual striving and its diverse expressions in the religions, philosophies, and literatures of the world.
The search for spiritual meaning is both personal and universal. Exploring this shared quest through religious, philosophical, and literary traditions fosters tolerance and strengthens individual commitment to freely chosen ideals. Understanding our common striving enriches the spirit of unity.
6. To promote forums for fearless inquiry and constructive dialogue on the frontiers of science, self-transformation, and future societies.
To envision a global culture, we must integrate knowledge from diverse fields—nature, self-development, and social organization. Avoiding both narrow specialization and vague speculation, true progress emerges from interdisciplinary dialogue aimed at a unified understanding of humanity.
7. To investigate the imaginative use of spiritual, mental, and material resources for the universal good.
While the material interdependence of nations is increasingly recognized, our understanding of spiritual and mental resources remains limited. Identifying, accessing, and harmonizing these inner resources—our human birthright—is essential for addressing scarcity and abundance in meaningful ways.
8. To examine evolving social structures in light of the idea that world culture is greater than the sum of its parts, and to envision conditions and possibilities for a global civilization.
Building a true world civilization requires more than analyzing isolated parts. It demands holistic and integrative thinking that unites diverse social developments into a coherent whole. This vision calls for precision, insight, and an ever-deepening understanding of the logic that guides human society.
9. To support the development of individuals of universal culture, committed to growth in non-violence of mind, generosity of heart, and harmony of soul.
The future of civilization depends on people who see themselves—and others—as global citizens. Education is the invisible thread that weaves through all efforts to cultivate universal culture. The full development of the mind, heart, and soul is both the path and the purpose of this endeavor.
10. To promote universal brotherhood and foster human fellowship among all races, nations, and cultures.
Universal brotherhood is the guiding principle of the Institute’s mission. Its purpose is to inspire individuals to become better citizens of their own nations by awakening to their shared identity as citizens of the world. This global consciousness is vital to forming future interdependent and meaningful social structures. All aims of the Institute ultimately support this goal: fostering goodwill and unity among all people.
Reflections on the Aims and Principles of the Institute of World Culture
The following statement was given by the speaker, Jonathan Colbert, at the conclusion of his Founding Day Address, June 29, 2019. It offers a remarkable vision of the aims and principles of the Institute that has been offering programs for 43 years. Since the Institute was inaugurated on July 4, 1976, the Founding Day Address traditionally honors a thinker or a writer who has contributed to the vision and promise of the American Republic and to the application of Aim 2* in “The Declaration of Interdependence.”
Every year we choose a theme that reflects one of the many remarkable aims of the Institute of World Culture. The theme for 2019 is Freedom, Excellence and Self-Transcendence, all of which are certainly exemplified in the writings of Ursula K. Le Guin. She offers an imaginative “Speculative Vision” of the founding promise and universal value of American ideals. The Ten Aims of “The Declaration of Interdependence” express universal principles that not only guide inquiry and foster understanding, but they inspire creative emulation in the living present. The journeys that her characters take reflect the human potential for freedom, individuation and self-transcendence. This potential is the source of equality shared by all.
The virtue of universal principles is that they integrate diversity. They are quintessentially harmonic. They bring order to chaos, concord to cacophony and a sense of community to strangers and the estranged. universal principles build bridges of understanding that span cultures and eras. Most importantly, universal principles imaginatively integrate perceived differences without subtracting from the relative truth of those differences. Each perspective enriches the whole — even though the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. For this reason, with Le Guin‘s writings, and with the insights of her anthropologist’s eye, we can imagine and appreciate the particular merits of any given system of thought, political arrangement or cultural practice without giving it our total allegiance.
The Institute of World Culture invites us to study the past in order to assess the present from multiple standpoints. In the spirit of fostering universal brotherhood, its programs seek to visualize a future that is rooted in what is inclusive and regenerative in the philosophies, religions and literatures of humanity. You could say that Le Guin was promoting universal brotherhood by imaginatively envisioning different possible utopian social structures that might foster men and women of non-violence of mind, generosity of heart and harmony of soul.
*Aim 2: To renew the universal vision behind the American Dream through authentic affirmations of freedom, excellence and self-transcendence in an ever-evolving Republic of Conscience.