Human Flourishing

Learning Objectives

Topics Covered

In this blog post:

• Human flourishing is introduced. Furthermore, this is linked, for instance, to personal growth, well-being, and having a sense of purpose;
• The significance of equitable access and embracing human diversity is raised;
• Political assassination and victimisation of people including in political life may silence vibrant democratic debate.  In 2025, Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk paid the ultimate cost of being in office.  Despite the perspective revealed, assassination may entail premeditated murder!  Human life is elementally inviolable and flourishing is often desirable.
• Approaches to enhancing human flourishing are presented.

What is Human Flourishing?

Flourishing represents the ultimate achievement in the field of psychological sciences, serving as a cornerstone in the realm of positive psychology (Schotanus-dijkstra,  et al., 2016 ). However, it is crucial to acknowledge limitations developing solutions based on these. People who flourish are characterised by their exceptional levels of health and overall well-being.  Additionally, the concept of flourishing is not constrained by rigid barriers, as its scope encompasses various factors such as biological, demographic, developmental, social, and contextual elements.

Human Flourishing, Self-Care and Social Relationships

Essential elements of self-care involve being purposeful, incorporating all aspects of oneself, alternating between activities, and flourishing. Self-care perspectives frequently acknowledge the importance of relationships. Words such as “prosperous” and “thriving” are sometimes associated with the terms “self care” and  “flourishing.” Furthermore, human flourishing is connected to spiritual, philosophical, and contemplative activities that could promote the growth of pro-social behaviour (Briggs & Reiss, 2021; Warne, 2015).  However, on the other hand, survival from walks of life varying from being in political office to the military, could also mean a rudimentary kind of life where danger lurks.

Equality of Access and Human Flourishing

For humans to flourish, it is essential that they have the opportunities to engage in meaningful work and have access to the basic fulfillment of their physiological and safety requirements (Clark, & Gevorkyan, 2020). Artificial intelligence may have a significant impact on human well-being, yet it is shaped by the divide between individuals with access to technology and those without. Moreover, AI may discriminate against whether workers will be retained or maintained (Jackson, et al., 2024; Mobley, & Eigen, 2024). On the hand, there is insufficient access to technology, for instance, to learn new things throughout life or just to stay informed. On the other hand, there could be an over reliance on computers while making employment-related decisions.

Bias at Work

Discrimination within the workplace manifest in various forms, including those stemming from algorithmic processes. Notably, effective January 1, 2026, H.B. 3733 will be enacted, amending the Illinois Human Rights Act to address employment-related issues (Bradley, 2024, Mobley & Eigen, 2024).

H.B. 3733  mandates that employers assess their use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), inform employees, update their policies, provide training to staff, and ensure adherence to emergent legal standards. Furthermore, employers are required to notify employees and applicants when AI, including generative technology, is utilized in making employment-related decisions, which encompass areas from recruitment to termination. Additionally, employers who fail to comply with these regulations may face financial penalties and potential legal action.

Each person, all things considered, regardless of their ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender, age, disability, or any other attribute, deserves to be treated with respect and with proper acknowledgment of their unique identity, and right to actively engage in human affairs (Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1982 (C) s, 15, U.S. Const. art. XIV). Read more at Human Rights.

Human Thriving

Human flourishing can be supported, for instance, when people’s rights, including to life, are placed at centre focus. There are overt relationships between human rights and democracy. Such instruments as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) can guide healthy democratic societies. The ICCPR theoretically protects fundamental civil and political rights, for instance the right to life, freedoms from arbitrary detention and expression, which can support functioning democracies.

The Use of Force

Using force to silence the voices of political critics, regardless of their conviction violates, for instance, rights to life and of expression (Editor, 2025; Solis, 2010; Upadhyay, 2025). The states of Utah and Minnesota have suffered losses. Change has ensued for victims, their families, gun persons and their family and friends. The ink is set and the ripple impacts of deaths in political office could be experienced for generations to come. Victims lives, for example, Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk have been snuffed out too early and under tragic circumstances (Cummings, 2025; Editor, 2025). The occupational costs of political life should not be injury or death and the toll is too high for people!

Pitman and Elisa (2024) provide important insights into freedom of expression and its exceptional limits. Freedom of expression is theoretically safeguarded by section 2b of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Government of Canada, 2024). Moreover, this right is recognised under international law, including articles 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These articles underscore that freedom of expression is an essential right.  Pitman and Elisa (2024) argue that restrictions on freedom of expression should only be applied in very specific and narrowly defined circumstances. For example, public incitement to violence and hate speech (Vukusic, 2023).   

There is a concerning trend, whereby public authorities, are increasingly using administrative measures or indirect methods—such as financial penalties or intimidation—to silence dissenting voices (Pitman & Elisa, 2024). This kind of suppression, including against journalists, and human rights proponents, seems to involve breaches of individual rights, and contributes to a broader societal detriment. Suppression measures create environments whereby people do not flourish;  with the declining recognition of rights. 

People including journalists, human rights proponents generally, and others caution against such silencing tactics. These often have damaging impacts on democratic activities, human systems, and environmental health. The loss of free expression contributes to environments whereby people become increasingly isolated and mistrustful of government.

Cornerstone Freedoms

The fundamental freedoms to move, express convictions, and participate in life’s daily activities without fear of harm and loss of dignity is paramount. These rights are not unrestricted. For example, in the armed forces the right to express oneself may be limited to defence members only; at least for a period of time (Rowe, 2006). Nonetheless, States are often expected, under international law, to be guided by foundational treaties and conventions. Examples of legal instruments included the Hague Peace Conventions of 1899 and successive editions, and the Geneva Protocol of 1924.

The Hague Peace Conventions

The Hague Conventions, 1899 and 1907, were pioneered statements representing the laws of war and war crimes in international law (Oxford Public International Law; Peace Conference at the Hague, 1899; Final Act of the International Peace Conference, Solis, 2010). They act as a framework to monitor acts of war, incorporating review of the manner in which prisoners and civilians are treated, restrictions on the use of particular weapons and the protection of cultural property (Solis, 2010). Subsequently, the present day rules of law took form and symmetry, becoming part of customary international law.

The Hague Peace Conventions set the stage for other conferences, however, as Hucker (2019) pointed out they did not prevent World War I. The public can impact in meaningful ways pathways to peace and security. Often, upon mapping out challenges, we are able to create solutions and strategies to safeguard people and the planet.

The Geneva Conventions

Solis (2010) mentioned that the Geneva Conventions can shape the law of war.

The Geneva Protocol of 1924

This Protocol was formally known as the “Protocol for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes” and it was signed in 1924, however, it did not become substantive law. Subsequently, the League of Nations, with its emphasis on supporting peaceful dispute management and collective security, was born in 1920 (Solis, 2010; The United Nations, n.d.). To read more about the League of Nations, in the broader context of free trade, visit Revisiting Free Trade: Oh’ Canada.

The Geneva Protocol of 1925

States are expected to oversee and prohibit the use of chemical and biological weapons under international law, including under the Geneva Protocol of 1925. The official title for this is “Protocol for the prohibition of the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of bacteriological methods of warfare”. Asphyxiating, toxic, and like weaponry were to be prohibited.

The Geneva Protocol forbids the application of choking poisonous gases, and bacteriological weapons in war (Solis, 2010). Such weaponry especially in the aftermath of World War I with its abhorrent activities was prohibited. States in particular contexts both uphold and undermine human rights laws (Forsythe, 2012). Human rights laws suffer when breaches are not addressed.

Ensuing treaties, for example the Biological Weapons Convention (1972) and Chemical Weapons Convention (1993), extended definitions and controls on the generation, production, collection, and transfer of chemical and biological weapons.

Juxtaposing Freedoms and Responsibilities

Legal instruments are an imperfect tool to safeguard individual rights such as freedoms of expression and collective security. However, they need to reconcile frictions involving tensions between individual freedoms and social well-being.
 International humanitarian law places emphasis on lessening human suffering (Solis, 2010). Moreover, focus is on the principle of distinction, requiring states to not cause indiscriminate harm to civilians (Rowe, 2006).

In healthy democratic societies, the military is often monitored by civilians. Defence forces’ roles, in the United States, include to limit and prevent wars, lessening the impacts of aggressors, and to maintain a volunteer guard (Sarkkesian, et. al, 2013).

There are social and political restrictions on individual freedoms for society’s safety and security. However, the executive state needs to demonstrate that there is a compelling rationale for the use of force (Kastenberg, 2014). The least restrictive means should be applied to bring about peace and security.

The Safeguarding of People

The protection of civilians is a fundamental principle, however, weapons maim and kill. Innocent civilians are tragically caught up in the crossfire. Weapons of aggression should not terrorise or cause civilians to live in fear that they will experience the biological, psychological, and social impacts of prohibited acts. People, including in political office,  have various attributes ranging from age to sexual orientation. These aspects breathe life into human mosaics.

Human Variations and Human Flourishing

Peoples’ characteristics and factors can significantly influence interpersonal dynamics, communication patterns, the overall quality of relationships, and their potential to flourish. The following brief outline illustrates examples where people may vary, and share a common human heritage.

Age

Differences in age may impact relationship aims, energy levels, and perspectives, which can require dialogue or negotiation.

Breastfeeding

This may impact intimacy, time management, and emotional dynamics, especially when parents need to adjust to a different role when they raise a child.

Caregiver Role

Caring for a child, senior, or person with disabilities may bring joy and heighten stress impacting the quality of relationships.

Disability

This can impact affective and physical intimacy, communication, and accessibility aspects in relationships.

Employment Role

Work distress, career goals, or contrasting occupational schedules may affect quality time and financial considerations.

Ethnicity

Cultural dissimilarities or shared attributes can shape values, traditions, and communications.

Gender Identity

Comprehending and supporting each other’s gender identity is essential to fostering mutual respect and affective links.

Industrial Engagement

This can be  associated with work-life balance and stress management, particularly in high-risk or high-demand occupations.

Geographical Location

This may be linked with access and choices in goods and services.

Marital or Intimate Partner Role

Your assumptions around marital or intimate partner roles and responsibilities may impact relationship satisfaction.

Parental Role

Decisions about parenting, child-rearing practices, and shared duties can impact relationship quality.

Physical Aspects

Changes in appearance or health may impact self-esteem, attraction, and intimacy.

Political Convictions or Practices

Contrasting political opinions may contribute to conflicts or calls for conciliation to enhance respect for persons.

Diverse Yet Interrelated Life Pathways and Human Flourishing

All in all, there exist variations among individuals. For instance, we attend different schools, dine at various restaurants, live in diverse provinces or states, such as coastal regions, and pursue different occupations. For example, we choose various career paths. These vocational passages could include enlisting in political office, the military, and becoming a veteran. Furthermore, we may pursue a career in farming, or work in professions such as emergency preparedness, and response, hospitality, retail, or the maritime industry. Additionally, we may excel as artists, office workers, park rangers, maritime workers, scientists, or truck drivers.

From Generativity to Stagnation

While certain people may flourish in a supportive setting, others may be forced to stagnate in a challenging one for survival. Your mindset is often crucial in determining success. Furthermore, to prosper, you may yearn for the soothing embrace of tropical waters and the peaceful seclusion of a distant island haven. Additionally, this is particularly so when adapting to freezing temperatures.

There are numerous incredible places worldwide that offer chances for personal development and satisfaction. For example, Vancouver Island is an outstanding place to visit. Take a trip to discover the Pacific Rim’s ruggedness and great beauty. Additionally, you may realise that you flourish as time goes on in less extreme weather conditions. However,  you could grasp the appeal of ice and snow. Furthermore, you might enjoy winter activities like skiing. Occasionally, skiing is possible on Vancouver Island.