Spiritual_Wellness_Holistic_Health_and_the_Practic

282 Philosophical Foundations of Health Education
others from the community. Once motivated their task is to recommend to the leaders
of nation - states preventive policies, and the means to test, evaluate, and modify them.
No one person has the answer on how to prevent terrorism or HD. Others do. The
expertise is out there. It needs to be organized and focused on the task. Again, a
reminder: HD or terrorism is not caused by God, naturally occurring bacteria or virus,
or Nature. They are caused by people. Thus they are preventable.
MOTIVATION OF THE ACTORS INVOLVED IN THE HDC
Any plan of action must consider motivation. Why should the representatives of the
domains and others participate in the HDC? Their loved ones and themselves are as
vulnerable to HD as anyone else. Presidents, popes, and CEOs of multinational corporations
have been murdered, killed by terrorists, and are poisoned by contaminated
drinking air and water. It is in the best interest of all people, institutions, and domains
to have a healthy and peaceful physical, psychological and social environment free
from the threat of terrorist or other HD attack. No one is immune or safe from HD.
One personality type or motivation that escapes the HDC is the death of war
lover (Fromm, 1973). Another is the true believer or religious fanatic (Hoffer, 1966).
It is difficult enough to deal with extremist religious groups like the Aum Shinrikyo
in Japan who released Sarin gas in a downtown Tokyo subway. They believed that
by destroying the world and its corruption they were making it a better place. This is
the apocalyptic, Armageddon view of the world, a cornerstone of belief among
extreme fundamentalists groups in any country, and of any religion. Combine religious
fanaticism with hatred directed toward the non - believer and/or oppressor, and
the problem is compounded. The members of al Qaeda, and most of the Taliban
represent the latter.
On the other hand, the HDC should appeal to the motivation of nearly all others.
For example, if one is motivated by altruism, that is, wishes to improve the world for
future generations, the HDC should make sense. At the other extreme, the individual
motivated by greed and the acquisition of possessions usually wishes to leave a legacy
to his or her children and grandchildren. And if they are not alive? What, then, is the
benefit of wealth and power? One has to be alive to use either. Similarly, if hedonism
is the predominant drive, the individual must be alive and well to enjoy pleasure.
Suppose one is motivated by fear of death or annihilation? Then removal of HD should
offer some relief.
UNDERLYING ROOT CAUSES
Policy and other action designed to prevent any form of HD - 1 must recognize and address
underlying root causes. Again, I focus on the al Qaeda. There is general agreement across
the political spectrum that removing the underlying root causes are vital to preventing
terrorism and other forms of HD - 1 (Armstrong, 2002; Friedman, 2001; News Service,
2001; Rice, 2001; Useem, 2001; World Bank, 2001). They include poverty, hunger,