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Human Development and Capability: Reconstructed and Fulfilled Through Maharishi Vedic Science

Received: 12 April 2017    Accepted: 13 April 2017    Published: 9 June 2017
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Abstract

This paper reconstructs the concept of human development in light of Maharishi Vedic Science. In Maharishi Vedic Science, the fulfillment of human development is realised in higher states of consciousness. In higher states of consciousness, the mind, body and senses still function in daily life, but at a much more refined and integrated state of functioning. The key aspect of human development explored is that of human capabilities, through the concept called the ‘Capability Approach’. The Capability Approach places the importance on people’s ability to have freedoms (capabilities) to lead the kind of lives they want to lead, to do what they want to do and to be the person they value and want to be. The major constituents of the Capability Approach are ‘functionings’ and ‘capabilities’. A ‘functioning’ being an achievement, and a ‘capability’, the ability to achieve the functioning. Maharishi Vedic Science places human consciousness at the level underlying that of capabilities, essentially, an underlying Universal Capability which allows any individual to naturally and spontaneously develop the full range of functionings, leading to the fulfilment of human development in everyday life. The growth of human consciousness and subsequent fulfillment of dimensions of human development is then explored through published scientific research studies on those practicing Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program (the means to contact and enliven this field of human consciousness).

Published in Journal of Health and Environmental Research (Volume 3, Issue 3-1)

This article belongs to the Special Issue Maharishi Vedic Science: Creating a Sustainable Future

DOI 10.11648/j.jher.s.2017030301.16
Page(s) 79-89
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Sustainability, Capability, Human Development, Maharishi Vedic Science, Consciousness

References
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    David Kettle, Geoffrey Wells, Lee Fergusson. (2017). Human Development and Capability: Reconstructed and Fulfilled Through Maharishi Vedic Science. Journal of Health and Environmental Research, 3(3-1), 79-89. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.s.2017030301.16

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    David Kettle; Geoffrey Wells; Lee Fergusson. Human Development and Capability: Reconstructed and Fulfilled Through Maharishi Vedic Science. J. Health Environ. Res. 2017, 3(3-1), 79-89. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.s.2017030301.16

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    David Kettle, Geoffrey Wells, Lee Fergusson. Human Development and Capability: Reconstructed and Fulfilled Through Maharishi Vedic Science. J Health Environ Res. 2017;3(3-1):79-89. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.s.2017030301.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.jher.s.2017030301.16,
      author = {David Kettle and Geoffrey Wells and Lee Fergusson},
      title = {Human Development and Capability: Reconstructed and Fulfilled Through Maharishi Vedic Science},
      journal = {Journal of Health and Environmental Research},
      volume = {3},
      number = {3-1},
      pages = {79-89},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jher.s.2017030301.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.s.2017030301.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jher.s.2017030301.16},
      abstract = {This paper reconstructs the concept of human development in light of Maharishi Vedic Science. In Maharishi Vedic Science, the fulfillment of human development is realised in higher states of consciousness. In higher states of consciousness, the mind, body and senses still function in daily life, but at a much more refined and integrated state of functioning. The key aspect of human development explored is that of human capabilities, through the concept called the ‘Capability Approach’. The Capability Approach places the importance on people’s ability to have freedoms (capabilities) to lead the kind of lives they want to lead, to do what they want to do and to be the person they value and want to be. The major constituents of the Capability Approach are ‘functionings’ and ‘capabilities’. A ‘functioning’ being an achievement, and a ‘capability’, the ability to achieve the functioning. Maharishi Vedic Science places human consciousness at the level underlying that of capabilities, essentially, an underlying Universal Capability which allows any individual to naturally and spontaneously develop the full range of functionings, leading to the fulfilment of human development in everyday life. The growth of human consciousness and subsequent fulfillment of dimensions of human development is then explored through published scientific research studies on those practicing Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program (the means to contact and enliven this field of human consciousness).},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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    AU  - David Kettle
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    T2  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
    JF  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
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    AB  - This paper reconstructs the concept of human development in light of Maharishi Vedic Science. In Maharishi Vedic Science, the fulfillment of human development is realised in higher states of consciousness. In higher states of consciousness, the mind, body and senses still function in daily life, but at a much more refined and integrated state of functioning. The key aspect of human development explored is that of human capabilities, through the concept called the ‘Capability Approach’. The Capability Approach places the importance on people’s ability to have freedoms (capabilities) to lead the kind of lives they want to lead, to do what they want to do and to be the person they value and want to be. The major constituents of the Capability Approach are ‘functionings’ and ‘capabilities’. A ‘functioning’ being an achievement, and a ‘capability’, the ability to achieve the functioning. Maharishi Vedic Science places human consciousness at the level underlying that of capabilities, essentially, an underlying Universal Capability which allows any individual to naturally and spontaneously develop the full range of functionings, leading to the fulfilment of human development in everyday life. The growth of human consciousness and subsequent fulfillment of dimensions of human development is then explored through published scientific research studies on those practicing Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program (the means to contact and enliven this field of human consciousness).
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 3-1
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Maharishi Vedic Science and Urban Sustainability, Maharishi Vedic Research Institute, Auckland, New Zealand

  • Maharishi Vedic Science, Ethics and Sustainability, Maharishi Vedic Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia

  • Maharishi Vedic Science and the Environment, Maharishi Vedic Research Institute, Gold Coast, Australia; Professional Studies, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia

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