Jamál, 17 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles
Quotes for Reflection:
Fundamentally, a great share of the Bahá’í community’s efforts has been directed at addressing the root cause of religious prejudice—ignorance. “The perpetuation of ignorance”, the House of Justice has stated, “is a most grievous form of oppression; it reinforces the many walls of prejudice that stand as barriers to the realization of the oneness of humankind…. Access to knowledge is the right of every human being, and participation in its generation, application and diffusion a responsibility that all must shoulder in the great enterprise of building a prosperous world civilization—each individual according to his or her talents and abilities.” This orientation has particularly manifested itself in the Bahá’í community’s focus on education, which has been a central concern since the inception of the Faith; in its efforts to foster in individuals a growing consciousness and capacity to recognize prejudice and to counter it; in its practice of using consultative processes in all its affairs; and in its commitment to and upholding of the dual knowledge systems of science and religion as being necessary for the advancement of civilization. Moreover, the development of the life of the mind and independent investigation of reality, which are highly prized in the Bahá’í writings, serve to equip individuals to distinguish truth from falsehood, which is so essential if prejudices, superstitious beliefs, and outworn traditions that impede unity are to be eliminated. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offers the assurance in this respect that “once every soul inquireth into truth, society will be freed from the darkness of continually repeating the past.” — Universal House of Justice 1 2
Question for Consideration
If “Access to knowledge is the right of every human being, and participation in its generation, application and diffusion a responsibility that all must shoulder in the great enterprise of building a prosperous world civilization…,” how does one balance them?
Perplexity Pro Response 3
The Bahá’í teachings assert that access to knowledge is a universal human right, while participation in its generation, application, and diffusion is a shared responsibility. The challenge is to balance these two imperatives in a way that fosters both individual fulfillment and collective advancement.
Foundations of the Principle
- The Universal House of Justice emphasizes that “the perpetuation of ignorance is a most grievous form of oppression” and that “access to knowledge is the right of every human being, and participation in its generation, application and diffusion a responsibility that all must shoulder in the great enterprise of building a prosperous world civilization—each individual according to his or her talents and abilities” [1] [4].
- This principle is rooted in the Bahá’í commitment to the oneness of humanity, the elimination of prejudice, and the organic unity of spiritual and material progress [1].
How to Balance Right and Responsibility
Recognize Diversity of Talents and Capacities
- Participation does not mean uniformity; rather, each person contributes according to their unique abilities and circumstances [1].
- Some may generate new knowledge, others may apply it in practical contexts, and still others may focus on its diffusion through teaching or community service [3].
Foster Universal Access and Remove Barriers
- Ensuring widespread access to education and knowledge is foundational. This includes formal schooling, informal learning, and opportunities for lifelong education [2] [1].
- Special attention is given to marginalized groups, ensuring that no one is excluded from the process of learning and contributing [1] [3].
Promote a Culture of Learning and Consultation
- The Bahá’í community emphasizes a participatory, consultative approach to learning, where knowledge is generated collectively and applied to address local and global challenges [2] [3].
- Structures such as training institutes and community study circles enable individuals to both acquire knowledge and participate in its creation and application [2] [1].
Integrate Science and Religion
- Advancement is seen as requiring both material (scientific) and spiritual (moral, ethical) knowledge. True progress arises from the harmony of these two systems [1].
- This integration equips individuals to distinguish truth from falsehood and to apply knowledge for the betterment of society [1].
Encourage Service and Social Action
- Knowledge is not an end in itself but a means to serve humanity. The Bahá’í approach links learning with action, encouraging individuals to use their insights and skills to contribute to the common good [1] [2].
- Social action, whether at the grassroots or more complex organizational levels, is seen as a natural outcome of a community committed to both learning and service [1] [2].
Practical Expression of the Balance
| Right to Access Knowledge | Responsibility to Participate |
|---|---|
| Universal education | Contributing to learning processes in community |
| Freedom to investigate truth | Applying knowledge to address social needs |
| Access to information | Sharing insights and teaching others |
| Inclusion of all, regardless of background | Engaging in consultation and collective decision-making |
| Removal of barriers to learning | Supporting structures that facilitate learning and development |
Organic and Gradual Process
- The Bahá’í writings liken the development of society to the growth of a living organism: each individual, institution, and community plays a vital, evolving role, and the full realization of this balance emerges gradually as capacity grow [1].
- Participation should be commensurate with available resources and capacities, growing organically as individuals and communities develop [1] [2].
Conclusion
Balancing the right to access knowledge and the responsibility to participate in its generation, application, and diffusion requires an organic, inclusive, and consultative approach. Each person, according to their talents and circumstances, is both a beneficiary and a contributor. This balance is sustained by fostering universal education, promoting a culture of learning and service, integrating science and religion, and ensuring that the fruits of knowledge are directed toward the advancement of all humanity. In this way, the Bahá’í community seeks to build a civilization that is just, unified, and prosperous—materially and spiritually [1] [3].
Citations:
[2] Education and the Baha’i Faith – Uplifting Words
[3] Should Everyone Have the Right to Do Science? – BahaiTeaching.org
[4] Human Knowledge and the Advancement of Society (PDF) – Bahá’í Library Online
[5] Children – The Bahá’í Encyclopedia Project
[6] Baha’i Quotations on Environment and Sustainable Development – International Environment Forum
[7] Knowledge and Civilization – The Bahá’í World
[8] Powers and Duties – The Universal House of Justice
[9] BAHÁ’Í IDEALS OF EDUCATION – Bahai.works
[10] The Infallibility of the Universal House of Justice – Bahá’í Library Online
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can I ensure my pursuit of knowledge benefits the whole community?
- What strategies can I use to balance individual learning with societal progress?
- How do I prioritize sharing knowledge to promote unity and justice in society?
- In what ways can I contribute to both scientific and spiritual understanding simultaneously?
- How do I avoid selfishness while seeking personal growth through education?
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/social-action/2#845489386. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “From a letter dated 27 December 2017 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed May 31, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20171227_001/1#006290519. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Balancing the Right to Access Knowledge and the Responsibility to Participate in Its Generation, Application, and Diffusion.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. May 31, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/fundamentally-a-great-share-of-ue7SOpn1RGeShuh8M2wYwg. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 