Criteria for Transforming the Economy: Human Dignity, Respect for Nature, Harmony with Life

This chapter questions the best ways to measure transformation when it comes to key human rights issues. The author explores and identifies key ontological and ethical criteria suitable for inspiring the path of transformation of the current economic model. The first condition to identify these criteria requires overcoming the theory of value elaborated by classical political economy. Higher than use-value and exchange-value there are living values. They are embodied by humans and other beings of nature. Furthermore, we must also consider the value of life. In fact, life is the universal community in which all living beings participate. This recognition of priority values can be justified by following the phenomenological method. It’s about grasping the irreducible value given in the human being and, with different degrees, in every living being. The ontology of value and the consequent ethics can motivate the work of an overall transformation of the economic system. Such a transformation is achieved thanks to the convergence between methodological, political, cultural and spiritual changes. The subjects of the transformative process are local communities, transnational democratic movements and ethically oriented institutions. In particular, overcoming the cultural code of power toward the wisdom of harmony with life is of essential importance.