CHARTER OF THE AEGEAN
AN INITIATIVE
OF MEMBERS OF THE AEGEAN
UNIVERSITY
TOWARDS AN
INTELLECTUAL (A Spiritual....) CHARTER OF THE AEGEAN
Our era is characterized by outstanding achievements in technology, the
sciences, the protection of human rights, the rapprochement between people,
economic growth. Although a significant part of world population has not yet
received full benefit of these achievements, there is expectation that this
will happen in the decades to come.
However, as a society, we face phenomena that cause doubts, concern and
stress, since our evaluative faculty is blunted and the "sweet wine"
of morality is forgotten. Our reflective ability is weakened and our thoughts,
worlds and actions are usually characterized by shallowness.
We observe the creation, promotion and worship of wrong
"idols" which have nothing to do with our real needs, the promotion
of vices as virtues, the promotion of "rights" without corresponding
obligations. Individuals are encouraged to consume more and more, usually far
in excess of their needs, while, others are lacking even the most basic
commodities and services. We notice essential things being transformed into
nonessentials and vice versa, in order to serve better other purposes. Lack of
respect for institutions is common and is enhanced through the promotion of
incapable persons and/or through inappropriate behavior of people who are
otherwise competent. The result is the continued downgrading of even the most
important such institutions. The search for truth has become
"old-fashioned" and is substituted by "toxic" phenomena.
Honesty has become very scarce. Each of these undesirable characteristics
supplements the other and all together corrode and shake the social fabric.
Those who sign the present declaration express our very great concern
for the rapid deterioration of the social fabric, the widening economic gap,
the prevalence of crash materialism over all social and spiritual values. We
consider that there is great need and urgency to introduce to the educational system
at all levels, a lesson based on Human Values, designed in accordance with the
comprehending capacity of students at each level.
We believe that modern education should not aim only at future material
gains and professional careers of young people but should also promote their
inner development, encourage them cultivate virtue, incorruptibility, sense of
duty, respect for all living beings, abstinence from violence, increased sense
of responsibility, the creation of a critical mind so that the new generations
of citizens are able to distinguish between the real and genuine from the
deceptive, and become eager to offer altruistic service, to work hard, support
those in need, live with sincerity, kindness and selfishness.
The educational program which we propose as basic part of an educational
reform should incorporate, among others, elements from ancient Greek education,
contemporary philosophy, sociology, psychology and comparative religion.
Evangelos Moutsopoulos, Professor of Philosophy,
Academic - Honorary Doctorate, University of the Aegean
Ioannis Lyritzis, Professor of
Archaeometry, University of the Aegean, (Associate Member of the Academy of Sciences ,
Letters and Arts Dijon , France
Roussos - Emmanouil Papadakis, District Attorney of the Supreme Court, Scientific Partner in
Collaboration with the Department of
Mediterranean Studies, University of the
Aegean
Signing jointly or supporting the initiative:
Prof P .
Ligomenidis (Academic),
Prof K .
Sbolopoulos (Academic),
Prof A .
Troumpis (Dean, University of the Aegean )
prof Th .
Lekkas (University of the Aegean ),
Prof S .
Katsikas (University of Piraeus
Prof Ch .
Zerefos (Academic),
Prof A .
Savvidis (University of the Aegean ),
G . Markopoulos (Composer),
Prof K .
Mpeis (Professor
Emeritus, Legal
School , University of
Athens
Prof N .
Polemikos (University of the Aegean ),
Prof G .
Kottis (Professor
Emeritus, Athens
Law School ,
University
of Athens
V.
Drosos (Chairman of the Attorney’s Association of Kos ),
L .
Georgiadis (Chairman of the Attorney’s Association of Mitilini),
Associate Prof
M . Pourkos (University of Crete
Prof G .
Xanthaki - Karamanou (University of Peloponissos
Prof Ch . Bitsilaki
(Assistant Rector, University of the Aegean ),
Prof I .
Chatzopoulos (University of the Aegean ),
Associate Prof
I . Sakkas (University of the Aegean ),
Prof L .
Karali (University of Athens
Dr P .
Kousoulis (Egyptologist, University of the Aegean ),
Dr A .
Kelesidou (former Director of the Academy of Athens
Prof P .
Dimotakis (Retired professor, University of Patra
Associate Prof.
S . Psycharis (University of the Aegean and SELETE)
Prof G .
Tsokas (Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki
Prof K .
Sideris (Prof. Emeritus, University of Athens
Lakis Chalkias (Artist)
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