Particular Sexual and Ambitious Attitude threatens the Global Societal Functioning and Individual Wellbeing

Abstract

The authors begin with the premise that mental well-being, and even the quality of life in many countries worldwide, is not satisfactory. They further assert that the current state of welfare in individual countries can be objectively evaluated, citing the World Justice Project as an example. Objective data relating to the exercise of power reveals that many societies are governed in an authoritarian manner. The authors then recall findings made by Jonathan Haidt and other neuroscientists, who demonstrated that people with conservative attitudes differ from those with liberal-democratic orientations in five psychological traits defined by the terms: harm, fairness, authority, ingroup, and purity. Their own interpretation of these findings leads the authors to formulate a hypothesis explaining why there is a constant tendency for authoritarian regimes to emerge. In the next step of their arguments, the authors state that authoritarian regimes usually maintain a patriarchal social structure, based on the traditional system of customary taboo, adhering to religious mandates. This psychological and social situation leads to vast variations in legal regulations in individual countries regarding dilemmas such as the legality of adultery, pornography, prostitution, the permissibility of abortion, and sex education, which can be illustrated by maps available on Wikipedia. The authors then devote much attention to the links between religious views and the realm of sexuality and their influence in maintaining the patriarchal structure of many societies. In their opinion, the freedom, freedom of speech, and well-being of citizens are often limited from two sides: by oppressive power and by a strict, purist system of taboo. The authors also ponder what can be done to counteract the described social situation. They believe that a persuasive educational program should be developed.