As a human being, I'm concerned about the world that I live in.

"As a human being, I'm concerned about the world that I live in. So, I'm concerned about peace. I'm concerned about - about man's inhumanity to man. I'm concerned about the environment." These words, spoken by Herbie Hancock, speak to a deep, universal concern that transcends time and place. Hancock, a musician who has shaped the very sound of jazz, expresses a profound worry about the state of the world—a world marred by conflict, inequality, and environmental degradation. His concern reflects a shared human responsibility to care for not just ourselves, but for the world we inhabit and the future we are creating for those who come after us. In this statement, Hancock taps into an ancient truth: to be human is to be connected to the whole, to feel the weight of injustice and the suffering of others, and to be called to act in the service of peace.

In the time of the Greeks, the idea of humanity was deeply tied to the concept of philanthropy—the love of humanity. Aristotle believed that to live a virtuous life was to contribute to the good of society, to the flourishing of all. The Greek philosopher was not concerned with personal achievement alone but with the health of the community. He understood that the individual's happiness was inseparable from the welfare of the larger world. Likewise, Herbie Hancock’s words reflect a desire to foster a world of peace, a world where man's inhumanity to man is not tolerated, and where we can strive for a life of harmony, not just as individuals, but as a collective force.

Consider the tragic and powerful example of Mahatma Gandhi, whose life was a testament to the power of peace in the face of immense human suffering. Gandhi's deep concern for man's inhumanity to man—whether through colonialism or caste discrimination—drove him to adopt a path of non-violence and peaceful resistance. His leadership, built on the strength of his convictions and his unwavering commitment to justice, transformed a nation and set an example for the world. Gandhi’s ability to confront injustice with peace is the kind of leadership Hancock echoes in his own concerns for a world that often seems to be torn apart by violence and hatred. Like Gandhi, Hancock understands that peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of justice, compassion, and understanding.

Hancock’s concern for the environment is equally vital in the context of humanity’s responsibility toward the Earth. In the ancient wisdom of the Romans, the philosopher Seneca taught that humanity’s relationship with nature should be one of stewardship and respect, not dominion and exploitation. The earth was not something to be conquered but to be tended, for in caring for the world around us, we demonstrate care for ourselves. Yet in modern times, this balance has been lost. The industrial revolution, driven by an insatiable thirst for progress and profit, has led to the exploitation of both people and the planet. In the pursuit of growth, we have too often forgotten our responsibility to the environment—the very foundation upon which all life depends. Hancock’s concern reflects the ancient and ongoing call for sustainability and respect for the natural world, urging us to re-establish this connection before it is too late.

History offers us many examples of civilizations that have failed due to their disregard for the environment and the human cost of progress. The Sumerians, for instance, built one of the first great civilizations by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Their sophisticated cities flourished for centuries, but they fell into decline due to the overuse of their land, leading to soil salinization and the collapse of their agricultural system. The ancient Mayans experienced a similar fate, as they too overexploited their environment, leading to deforestation and environmental degradation that contributed to the downfall of their once-great cities. The story of these civilizations serves as a reminder that environmental balance is not a luxury, but a fundamental pillar upon which any lasting society must rest.

In our own time, we face the same danger: the unchecked exploitation of both human beings and the planet. As Hancock points out, the issues of peace, inhumanity, and the environment are deeply intertwined. War, violence, and inequality are often the result of resource scarcity, exploitation, and environmental degradation. As the earth’s resources become strained, conflicts over land, water, and energy escalate, and humankind is driven further apart. If we are to build a sustainable future, we must recognize that peace cannot exist without justice and environmental stewardship. Just as the Romans and Greeks understood that the health of the individual was tied to the health of the community, we must recognize that the health of the planet is essential to the well-being of all people.

The lesson, then, is one of interconnection—that the quest for peace, justice, and environmental responsibility are not separate goals, but inseparable parts of the same mission. As we look toward the future, let us ask ourselves how we can contribute to a world defined by human dignity, equality, and sustainability. Let us work to mend the rifts that divide us, to address the human suffering caused by inequality, and to heal the wounds we have inflicted upon the Earth. Like Hancock, we must concern ourselves with the legacy we leave behind—not just for ourselves, but for future generations. The world we create today will be the inheritance of those who come after us, and it is our duty to ensure that it is a world where peace, justice, and respect for the environment are the foundations of our shared future.