Human ecology reminds us that the reality we live in is shared. It happens when organizing a celebration or potluck with friends or family, that the question is, what do you bring? And what each one brings, contributes to the joy and success of the party. If you bring your best, everyone rejoices. If you skimp with quality or quantity, it affects us all. Even the one who is humble and shares what little he has, increases joy and friendship.

The common space in society is made of what each one puts. With honest work, ingenuity, enthusiasm, and goodwill, you build. Courtesy, cheerfulness, the ease to apologize and forgive and the eagerness to help others make life more pleasant and difficulties bearable. On the contrary, arrogance, carelessness, the desire to take advantage of everything, even at the expense of others, filth and bad habits, discourage trusting others and collaborating in building common space.

In the economy and its social impact, capitalism and the market help to generate wealth and optimize the use of resources, but it is only part of the social dimension and it is naive to believe that it solves all problems. Every human act is moral and therefore the market also lends itself to abuse, corruption and distortion of human freedom. The trickle down tale – that as wealth grows, everyone benefits – is a cruel mockery and an excuse to calm the conscience of some. We cannot ignore each other and those who have more, be it materially, politically or culturally, have to put more on the common table.

I take this first column of 2014 to explain what I contribute. I am a Catholic and I take it seriously, and therefore I believe that God is the source of all the love and good that society and every man need, and I look for ways to share it. I also try to respond to the invitation to love my neighbor as the Lord Jesus loved us. This does not alienate me from the earthly in the hope of paradise, but rather leads me to commit myself to cooperate with all men of good will in transforming our society so that good and justice are available to all and that the life of all is more humane and dignified. And since love is also respect, I do not impose my faith or my ideas on anyone, but rather I seek to propose them in a language that does not alienate but rather builds dialogue and thereby helps to build a better Peru.

This article was originally published on El Comercio on January 7, 2014

    La ecología humana nos recuerda que la realidad que vivimos es compartida. Pasa al organizar una celebración entre amigos o con la familia, que la pregunta es ¿con qué te pones? Y lo que cada uno pone, contribuye al gozo y al éxito de la fiesta. Si pones de lo mejor, todos se alegran. Si te amarras con calidad o cantidad, nos afecta a todos. Incluso el que es humilde y comparte de lo poco que tiene, acrecienta el júbilo y la amistad.

El espacio común en la sociedad se hace de lo que cada uno pone. Con trabajo honesto, ingenio, entusiasmo y buena voluntad, se construye. La cortesía, alegría, la facilidad para pedir disculpas y disculpar y el afán de ayudar a otros hacen la vida más grata y las dificultades llevaderas. Por el contrario, la prepotencia, el descuido, el afán de sacar ventaja en todo, aún a costa de los demás, la suciedad y las malas costumbres desaniman de confiar en los demás y colaborar en construir el espacio común.

En la economía y su impacto social, el capitalismo y el mercado ayudan a generar riqueza y optimizar el uso de recursos, pero es sólo una parte de lo social y es ingenuo creer que resuelve todos los problemas. Todo acto humano es moral y por ello el mercado también se presta al abuso, corrupción y distorsión de la libertad humana. El cuento del chorreo – que al crecer la riqueza, todos se benefician- es una burla cruel y una excusa para calmar la conciencia de algunos. No podemos ignorarnos unos a otros y los que tienen más, sea material, política o culturalmente, tienen que poner más en la mesa de donde comemos todos.

Aprovecho esta primera columna del 2014 para explicitar lo que aporto. Soy Católico y me lo tomo en serio, y por ello creo que Dios es la fuente de todo el amor y bien que la sociedad y cada hombre necesitan, y busco las maneras de compartirlo. También trato de responder a la invitación de amar a mi prójimo como el Señor Jesús nos amó. Eso no me aliena de lo terreno en la esperanza del paraíso sino que me lleva a comprometerme en cooperar con todos los hombres de buena voluntad en transformar nuestra sociedad para que el bien y la justicia estén al alcance de todos y que la vida de todos sea más humana y digna. Y como amor es también respeto, no le impongo mi fe o mis ideas a nadie, sino que busco proponerlas en un lenguaje que no incomode sino que construya diálogo y con ello ayude a construir un Perú mejor.

    The holiday spirit is the dominant factor in our human ecology these days. Joy, gifts to the needy, gatherings of friends, colleagues and especially family, fill us with expectation these days. This does not erase poverty, injustice, selfishness, corruption and other social ills we suffer, but reminds us of the valuable things in our lives and what we can achieve if we try.

Christmas is joy because it reminds us that the almighty God became a humble and poor child to save us, sharing the joys and miseries of the human condition, poor among the poor. Without privilege, besides loving, virtuous, and working parents. God’s love, humility and the joy of being all brothers in Jesus, God’s children, is a hope that renews us.

An article in Forbes magazine, based on scientific studies, confirms that this is not empty platitudes, but there is a real, tangible impact in the lives of people and the economy. Frequent attendance to Church increases life expectancy of people in 7 years, while strengthening the immune system and reduces depression and the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. In youth, it reduces crime, smoking and drugs and improves school performance and high school graduation rate. In adults it also reduces crime, unemployment and dependency on welfare programs. On the positive side, those with religious practice donate more money to charities and volunteer their time to help others.

Reducing costs by reducing crime and prisons, hospitals and services for drug addicts, alcoholics, misfits and the mentally ill, in addition to services that are already covered by charitable organizations is enormous. It also reduces tax rates and insurance premiums. In the United States, religious practice produces economic benefits of 2.6 trillion US dollars annually or 15% of the economy.

All this not to mention that people of faith are on average happier, and the spiritual benefits which are the essential aim of religion. More reasons for those who have faith to rejoice and give thanks to God, and to encourage those who do not have it to seriously consider exploring it, at least for the benefit of the the rest of society.

Speaking of ecology and politics we often think about how to protect the environment and that’s fine. But not enough thought is given to how politics, ideology and power affect our human ecology, the environment in which we live.

In a society, different individuals, families and groups have common interests such as quality of education, air and water, safety from violence and not be swindled or be unjustly deprived of property. The set of institutions that structure legal, civil, political and cultural aspects of social life is ordered to those interests, that is, to the Common Good. A key part of this is that there is a rule of law based on principles of justice and respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every human being.

Because people also have particular interests and needs, they usually group to pursue those interests. The set of interest groups competing and interrelated in complex ways nourishes much of politics. They generate ideologies, seek to lobby and use all mechanisms of power to achieve their goals. Habermas says that political differences should not be solved simply by majority vote but with discussion sensitive to truth; and Rawls insists that we should not arrive to mere transactions between competing interests but rather on principles of justice.

When the political debate ignores the truth, justice and the common good, it comes down to power struggles or the law of the strongest as well predicted Nietzsche. This trend is increasing, not only in our country but as a global phenomenon. Lying, manipulation and corruption become common and politics is discredited to citizens. This raises a climate of cynicism and distrust. We no longer expect anything good from government.

Interestingly, the same Machiavelli who said that politics and morality have no connection, opens a way to a solution: “A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead such a life contrary to his example.” Again, the core of the answer is the free man, you and me, choosing the demanding path of being a good man.

A space in the human ecology of most people is work. We spent there the largest percentage of our time and, therefore, this environment shapes our way of being, thinking, our mood and identity. What we receive in return usually defines our status, lifestyle and future.

Years ago, I remember my surprise to hear in Mexico, that Peruvians were recognized as hard workers. It is true. We are hard workers and resorceful, even with our flaws. For our progress, we must acknowledge the successful and stable economic policy, but that’s just the context. Most is due to Peruvians being enterprising and hardworking. Our shantytowns are progressing slowly but surely, because we are hard workers and we hope for a better future.

Whoever runs his own business, whether restaurant, printing shop, transportation, etc., knows there is no fixed schedule and that work is a blessing. Perhaps that is why he works long hours knowing that the fruits of his effort ensure a better future for his family. But whoever is hired does not have that comfort. He works long hours because he doesn’t want to lose his job, but for his extra time and effort, gets nothing.

The Laws of the Indies in the Spanish viceroyalty established the 8-hour work day, but in Peru today, many work 10, 12 or 14 hours. If you want to stay or progress, you have no choice . Owners or managers earn merit and money on the back of the workers who have no way to complain and exhausted, little can they share with their children outside the weekend.

Work cannot be the meaning or purpose of life. With work we support our family and contribute to the progress of society, and this earns us the respect of self and others, but it’s a means to serve a higher purpose. It can’t, like a leech, suck the time and energy we have right to devote to our family and friends, our rest and recreation, to helping others and society. We do not live only to work .

Owners and managers, who from their positions of responsibility and decision extract from workers extra hours that they do not pay, stealing them from family and private life, commit abuse and injustice. This must change. It is a requirement of our own nature and for the benefit of all that working conditions be more humane and respectful of the dignity and freedom of each.

Un espacio en la ecología humana de la mayoría de personas es el trabajo. Pasamos allí el mayor porcentaje de nuestro tiempo y por ello, ese ámbito condiciona nuestra forma de ser, pensar; nuestro estado de ánimo e identidad. Lo que recibimos a cambio suele definir nuestro estatus, estilo de vida y futuro.

Hace años, recuerdo mi sorpresa al escuchar en Méjico, que los peruanos éramos reconocidos como muy trabajadores. Es verdad, somos trabajadores y también recurseros , aún con nuestros defectos. De nuestro progreso, hay que agradecer el manejo económico acertado y estable, pero eso es sólo el marco. La mayor parte se debe a que el peruano es emprendedor y trabajador. Nuestros pueblos jóvenes progresan lenta pero inexorablemente, porque somos trabajadores y tenemos esperanza de un futuro mejor.

El que tiene su propio negocio, sea restaurante, imprenta, transporte, etc., sabe que no hay horario y que el trabajo es una bendición, y quizá por eso trabaja largas horas sabiendo que el fruto de su esfuerzo asegura un mejor futuro a su familia. Pero el que está a sueldo no tiene ese consuelo. Trabaja largas horas porque no quiere perder el trabajo, pero por su tiempo y esfuerzo adicional, no recibe nada.

Las Leyes de Indias en el virreinato ya establecían la jornada de 8 horas, pero en el Perú, en muchos trabajos, son 10, 12 o 14. Si quieres permanecer o progresar, no te queda otra. Los dueños o gerentes ganan méritos y dinero sobre la espalda del trabajador que no tiene cómo quejarse y que agotado, poco puede compartir con sus hijos fuera del fin de semana.

El trabajo no puede ser ni el sentido ni el fin de la vida. Con el trabajo sustentamos nuestra familia y contribuimos al progreso de la sociedad, y esto nos gana el respeto propio y ajeno, pero es un medio al servicio de un fin mayor. No nos puede, como una sanguijuela, robar el tiempo y energía que tenemos derecho a dedicar a nuestra familia y amigos; a nuestro descanso y recreación; a poder ayudar a otros y a la sociedad. No se vive sólo para trabajar.

Dueños y gerentes que desde sus puestos de responsabilidad y decisión, extraen del que trabaja horas que no pagan, robándoselas a su familia y su vida privada, cometen abuso e injusticia. Esto debe cambiar. Es una exigencia de nuestra propia naturaleza y en beneficio de todos que el trabajo sea un ambiente más humano y respetuoso de la dignidad y libertad de cada uno.

Whales and dolphins are part of our human ecology, natural and cultural. They have fed our bodies and our imaginations from Jonah, to Moby Dick and Flipper, to this day, and the lives of entire populations has depended on them. These days we have been warned about fishing for whales and dolphins and their possible extinction.

Whales have been hunted so abusively, and at risk of extinction, that in 1986 commercial whaling was banned indefinitely. Japan, Iceland and Norway objected the ban and it is estimated that over a thousand whales are still hunted per year. Since whales reproduce very slowly, it will be years before hunting can be resumed in a sustainable way. Besides, the whaling companies have shown no responsibility or good faith to allow them to be self- regulated.

Dolphins, on the other hand, are estimated at 10 million and only some of its 40 species are endangered. However, all cruelty due to abuse, neglect or commercial interest should be avoided. In Peru, as in many countries, fishing them is illegal.

In a country like ours, where the state’s ability to develop protection programs, or to control crime is limited; where it still does not answer the basic needs of health, education and safety of the human population, what attention is due to whales and dolphins? If we stick to evolution, we could allow them to become extinct as many species in the past: the law of nature. And does being, in our opinion, friendly or intelligent animals, give them more right to be protected than many other less popular species ?

The answer is precisely in our humanity, which goes beyond the utilitarian calculations and the egocentric approach of “my” rights and “my” options. Any abuse, any cruelty, any indifference, must be fought . The suffering and misery must move us to action. If I don’t, I am an accomplice, but even more, I betray my own humanity.

With even more urgency, seeing that the state cannot do enough, I must respond to the needs of my fellow human beings. Starting with the closest, but seeking to reach the most abandoned. There is too much poverty, helplessness, loneliness, disease, injustice and suffering. To help the needy, and to resist and denounce those who perpetrate injustice. No more indifference or passivity. That’s not human.