We had signed up to the Values and Principles of the International Co-operative Alliance and we wanted this to be universally understood
We had a passion to create and sustain Owen’s Co-operative Commonwealth.
We still find that the public at large are largely ignorant about the tremendous impact of Robert Owen, arguably the greatest, or at least one of the greatest, Welshman to have lived. Owen was an entrepreneur and social reformer and was a controversial personality. Much of his thinking can be found in the essays on A New View of Society based on his own experience managing businesses and notably New Lanark, where he tested his social reforms. Owen emphasised the importance of environment, education and co-operation. His quotations are many but one which drives us forward in the Society is simply stated under the Pursuit of Happiness via Knowledge: The lessons of history show man his duty to society - the promotion of common happiness, which self-evidently lies within his power, must be the inevitable goal.
That principle for Owen is, the happiness of self, clearly understood and uniformly practised, which can only be attained by conduct that must promote the happiness of the community. Human beings for Owen must progressively pass from a state of ignorance to intelligence, the limits of which it is not for the individual to define. In the progress of discovery, the individual happiness can be increased and extended only in proportion as the individual works to increase and extend the happiness of all around.
The purpose of this short article is to help our members, our readers, our friends and fellow co-operators understand why we so enthusiastically supported the brave stance of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde when she addressed the President of the United States of America directly in the Washington church service.
Whilst we believe in the importance of belief systems, of values and principles and feeling able to share these without fear or favour. No one has a monopoly of what is right or wrong and nobody should close off or be afraid of alternative views. Democratic society grows stronger when we feel able to counter the prevailing narrative and join in genuine Socratic discourse.
Owen tells us that the governing powers of all countries should establish rational plans for the education and general formation of the characters of their people. These plans must be devised to train children from their earliest infancy in good habits of every description which will prevent them from acquiring those of falsehood and deception.
Our children and our people must be rationally educated and their labour must be usefully directed. Such habits and education will impress them with an active and ardent desire to promote the happiness of every individual and that needs to happen without exception for sect, or party, or country, or climate. They will also ensure, with the fewest exceptions, health, strength, and vigour of body; for the happiness of people can be erected only on the foundations of health of body and peace of mind.
Increased happiness can be affected by guiding human characteristics away from the path of evil: once every member of society had accepted the truth of the principles, then their adoption will be welcomed.
Our mission in the Robert Owen Society is to drive forward on Owenite ideals through Co-operative Values and Principles. We achieve this through continuing dialogue; supporting our communities; delivering co-operative projects and making our support public for brave folk like Bishop Budde. We live in challenging times and we need those who think like us, those who want a better and fairer society, those who share our values and principles to join us. The door is always open. Please feel free to write and contribute to our website.
The Robert Owen Society
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