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OPINION

Metahumanism: Charting Nepal’s Course for Correction

The 20th century witnessed numerous terrible religious and ethnic conflicts that inflicted suffering and turmoil on various regions around the world. These conflicts often stemmed from deep-seated historical grievances, religious and cultural differences, unequal access to resources, and political struggles. Nepal, too, teeters on the brink of such potential conflicts, threatening the harmony that has long graced the nation.
By Bimal Pratap Shah

The 20th century witnessed numerous terrible religious and ethnic conflicts that inflicted suffering and turmoil on various regions around the world. These conflicts often stemmed from deep-seated historical grievances, religious and cultural differences, unequal access to resources, and political struggles. Nepal, too, teeters on the brink of such potential conflicts, threatening the harmony that has long graced the nation. The disintegration of political parties, the democratic framework, and the parliamentary system, combined with the ineptitude of older politicians, has plunged Nepal into a somber chapter in its history. Thus, it becomes vitally important to discard archaic ideologies responsible for the downfall of nations worldwide, especially in the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries in the past, and wholeheartedly adopt forward-thinking philosophies to confront the failures and challenges that marked the last century.


Nepal is undeniably on the verge of ethnic and religious conflicts. Given this context, Nepal must draw invaluable lessons from historical tragedies like the Holocaust, in which millions of Jews endured unimaginable atrocities, the Rwandan Genocide that led to the brutal killing of hundreds of thousands of Tutsis, and more recently, the horrific events that unfolded over the course of a harrowing four months in India's sensitive state of Manipur. The once-co-existing communities of Meitei and Kuki have descended into a state of irreparable enmity. These events serve as stark reminders of the catastrophic consequences that such conflicts can unleash when left unchecked. Nepal managed to successfully avoid such horrors this time around mainly because the political parties advocating Hinduism have displayed wisdom by prioritizing the welfare of the nation and its people over opportunistic politics. However, many are worried that the government's short-sightedness and continuous decision-making in an ad-hoc manner could lead the country towards anarchy.


It is widely recognized that the Government of Nepal has made hundreds of decisions that do not align with the interests of the general public. Recently, the government increased taxes on plane tickets without employing a scientific method. In an attempt to dissuade people from traveling abroad for vacations and potentially depleting foreign reserves, it raised the VAT on plane tickets. This decision has the potential to impact hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who travel abroad and return during the festival seasons to spend time with their loved ones. The government's behavior, resembling mafia tactics, is worrisome, especially given the already high cost of plane tickets due to external factors like the Russia-Ukraine war.


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For the last ten years, tax brackets in Nepal have been soaring and are approaching levels nearly akin to those of Scandinavian nations. Yet, the services extended to Nepali citizens often mirror the standards observed in Somalia or war-torn countries. Sadly, the Nepali people are shouldering high tax burdens akin to Scandinavian countries but are not reaping commensurate benefits in terms of public services, healthcare, education, and infrastructure development, as socialism is often limited to rhetoric. As a result, launching a business or living a life of dignity, especially for young entrepreneurs and job holders, has become nearly impossible. This dire situation has compelled a significant number of young people to emigrate, with little inclination to return.


If one delves deeper, the human-centric perspective inherent in humanism has contributed to some of the challenges faced by the Nepali people today. Humanism, as a philosophical and cultural movement, places a strong emphasis on human values, dignity, reason, and individualism. It celebrates the potential for humans to improve themselves and society through education, reason, and ethical principles, often rejecting supernatural or religious explanations for phenomena. More importantly, humanism does not advocate success at all costs without consideration for the planet, country, community, or other species on Earth.


Understanding that Metahumanism offers a promising path for addressing contemporary challenges is crucial. The limitations of traditional humanism goes beyond valuing human potential as Metahumanism focuses on qualities such as openness, adaptability, and indeterminacy as essential. It seeks to transcend the constraints of fixed human nature and traditional ideologies that have not worked well for many countries. Metahumanism also calls for the re-evaluation of our connection with the natural world to reduce animal abuse, promoting ethical treatment through a deeper understanding of our symbiotic ties with all living beings on Earth.


Simply put, Metahumanism envisions a world where global conflicts find resolution through diplomacy and collaboration, while also addressing social inequalities to foster equitable opportunities. This philosophy champions individual liberty, transparency, and ethical governance as countermeasures to the rise of authoritarianism. It extends its principles to key areas such as healthcare, economics, and cultural preservation, focusing on promoting accessibility, resilience, and diversity. Additionally, it advocates responsible technological innovation, ensuring that ethical considerations guide scientific progress.


In essence, Metahumanism seeks to revolutionize our self-perception and our role in the world to challenge the status quo, marking a significant departure from traditional ideologies by introducing an array of transformative principles, boldly challenging the established norms. It calls upon us to cease posing a threat to our planet and reject notions of human superiority and cultures that harm animals and the planet. Also, it encourages us to confront the looming environmental crisis, reconsider our approach to reproduction, adopt a compassionate vegan lifestyle, honor individual autonomy, prioritize self-care and environmental stewardship, ignite systemic change, embrace evolutionary adaptation, unleash the full potential of our bodies, rekindle our senses, foster symbiotic growth, welcome subtle variations in movement, celebrate neurodiversity, engage in non-linear thinking, nurture non-verbal connections, and liberate ourselves from constraining paradigms. These principles constitute the cornerstone of a forward-thinking philosophy, dedicated to reshaping our relationship with the world and with ourselves.


Emerging as a crucial philosophy in our current societal context, Metahumanism offers a path to restore and maintain social harmony. As Nepal and the world grapple with the potential for conflicts, Metahumanism calls for an end to being guided by archaic ideologies and emphasizes a shift towards interconnectedness, sustainability, ethical governance, and an expanded understanding of our place in the world. Its role in balancing social harmony lies in its capacity to transcend the limitations of traditional humanism and promote a more inclusive and compassionate worldview, fostering progress, empathy, and ethical advancement. Amid Nepal's precarious situation, where the brink of anarchy looms and echoes of mass exodus resonate from war-torn countries, Metahumanism offers hope and a transformative vision for a better future. It is imperative that Nepal's parliament be updated with the principles of Metahumanism to navigate these challenging times and pave the way for progress and harmony.


The parliament is excessively fixated on the past; this needs to undergo a transformation in its approach.

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