The Panetics Global Forum

Sven Lundstedt, founding member has passed away.

Professor SVEN B. LUNDSTEDT, Past Secretary of ISP and Professor of Public Policy and Management at The Ohio State University Location: Columbus, Ohio This influential teacher, leader and founding member of the International Society for Panetics will be missed. A Founder of ISP and the Society’s past Secretary, Dr. Sven B. Lundstedt was Professor of Public Policy and Management in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Professor of Management and Human Resources in The Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. He graduated with AB and Ph.D. degrees from The University of Chicago and with a Master of Science Degree from the Harvard University School of Public Health. He also served at Harvard as a USPHS Post Doctoral Fellow in mental health/public health. At the University of Chicago he worked closely with Professor Benjamin S. Bloom in research on the influence of learning environments on the formation of personality and human performance and took part in interdisciplinary programs in psychology, human development and education. We express our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Decision Making and the Infliction of Suffering

Please offer your comments on the poor treatment of returning injured military folk.

The bureaucratic nightmare and mistreatment of military men and women demonstrates how important it is for us to continue the dialogue about Panetics and the works of Ralph Siu.

Even though the form of the organization may be changing, it is important that we continue to discuss ways to reduce the infliction of suffering.

This blog is still up and will be maintained until we have established an accessible archive of Siu's works.

Phyllis Haynes

Interdisciplinary Ethics Roundtable

Interdisciplinary Ethics Roundtable
June 19, 2006, 2 PM
Press Must RSVP in Advance – Seating is Limited

“How Do We Know Right From Wrong?” Speakers include

Dr. Jon Cohen Director Princeton Center for Brain Mind Research

Dr. Glen Geelhoed Director of George Washington University Infectious Disease Dept.

The event is sponsored by the International Society for Panetics, which is a medium of exchange for members and others interested in the integrated study of the infliction and reduction of humanly-inflicted suffering. The purpose is to foster the continuing growth of a coherent body of objective knowledge that can help governments, institutions, professions and social groups avert or reduce the human suffering they engender.

Press is welcome to attend reception and discussion starting at 1:45 PM at the
Cosmos Club, Washington DC. Please RSVP to gain admission by calling 201 662 5976.

In this time when politicians and business leaders are calling for “ethics” training and discussion the International Society for Panetics is holding a very important Roundtable. The problem is: there are different interpretations and understandings of ethical behavior. Unless we come to grips with understanding the human decision making process and how we act in a crisis or even how politicians and leaders decide in a long term situation, we are going to create more human suffering. Our organization, The International Society for Panetics founded by the late Dr. Ralph Siu, has been and is dedicated to reducing the infliction of suffering by grappling with varying viewpoints and differences on how we make ethical decisions. “The absence of regular open ethics discussion politics, business, and science has created some of our greatest problems. It is often too late to introduce ethics discussions after the event, the disaster, or the deaths.” Phyllis Haynes, President, International Society for Panetics.

How Do We Know Right From Wrong?

How do we Know Right From Wrong is the theme of the upcoming Panetics event.

June 19th at the Cosmos Club in Washington.

Please call for information.

1800 482 5152

de Bivort: Seminar on Middle East Conflict

THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

Description: In 8 lectures and discussions, we will explore the historical, political, cultural, and legal origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and examine dynamics of the current situation. Participants will gain an understanding of key historical elements that have informed both sides’ claims in the conflict, why the different parties have chosen and adhere to their specific positions, the United States’ role in the conflict, and what the prospects are for resolution.

Convener: Lawry de Bivort
301-320-3941
debivort@evolutionaryservices.org.

Convener’s Bio: Lawrence de Bivort has studied the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict for the past 40 years and is the author of several studies on its political, legal, and social issues. He has a Ph.D. from the School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University, with specialized experience in Middle Eastern affairs, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, international law, US diplomacy, and strategic studies.

Date/Time: Wed., March 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 19, 26, and May 3, 2006
Fireside Room, 7 – 9:30 pm.

Place: River Road Unitarian Church
6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD, 20817

Cost: No class fee. Participants have the option of purchasing the course manual (350+ pages; price TBA) which includes complete lecture notes, a compendium of key documents and maps, and a comprehensive bibliography.

If you are interested in attending
email ldebivort@earthlink.net after March 1.

World Bank Resources

Here is a list of experts in various and important areas relevant to Panetics

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:20045725~menuPK:34490~pagePK:34418~piPK:34537~theSitePK:4607,00.html

 

The World Bank is an interesting resource for information, data, and ideas.

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:20027400~menuPK:34496~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html

 

Davd C. Jones on the Mining Tragedy

There are two peripheral but important aspects to the mining disaster. Firstly, the safety regulations have been (a) watered down, by the current (Bush)adminstration; and, (b) even when enforced the fines levied are laughable as to their silliness for purposes of punishment or (more importantly) deterrence. Secondly, the mining company has been bankrupted more than once and I saw reference to the fact that the relevant accounting charges are no longer being made for the capital equipment. There should be charges against the profits as provisions for renewal or replacement of old equipment. There are probably a lot of other understatements of financial obligation. We are told by the economics gurus that "The Consumer is King"! (in this case the consumer is the power industry OR "we have seen the enemy and it is US!" (it means either US (as in "we") or US (as in Uncle Sam).

I have a different take on so many of these matters. It is that "The Consumer is Queen!". This stands for "Quality Undemines Economic Equilibrium Neutrality." In other words, the supply and demand are equated at an "equilibrium point" that sets the price. BUT Quality - including health and safety - costs money, so profits will (probably) be reduced as costs increase and less is sold at a higher price! That, of course, in a profit-maximizing capitalist economy is a no-no. Hence the essential need for regulation! But - where is it? Gone, as a sop to the rich and powerful interests that urge that regulation diminishes competitiveness! So it does! Thus, we need to elect people who really do care, deeply, about how many are killed or injured (Iraq? Sago Mine? etc.) in the pursuit of profit for the rich and powerful.

The words - common in the justice system - have now come true. Justice (and Right - to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness) DeLayed (as in Tom) is justice denied!

Outrage over Mining Deaths

From the editor

The deaths of the mine workers in a mine with over 200 known violations is outrageous.  This is human suffering that could have been avoided. This infliction of suffering resulted from an overall government policy that encourages big business to break the rules and get away with murder.  Government agencies that are set up to protect us in health and occupational safety are in confusion and are bankrupt by constant shuffling of positions and downgrading of proper supports.  These workers had no homeland security! 

The Year Begins with New and Important Work

Dr. Glenn Geelhoed, an extraordinary humanitarian who has devoted most
of his life to working in the developing world, has recently joined the
Physicians for Peace team as a volunteer.  Dr. Geelhoed is Professor of Surgery, Professor of International Medical Education, and Professor of Microbiology and Tropical Medicine at George Washington University.   He
is traveling to Rwanda as a Physicians for Peace team leader in March.
Dr. Geelhoed has just published a book entitled "Surgery and Healing in
the Developing World." 

New Panetics Journal Addresses Torture

Robert Daoust responds to the journal.  Thanks go to Panetics Journal editor

Robert Lamson.   

Please review Daoust Comments and add your own.