- Until the time when we have a more democratic system with a World Parliament, and a Global Inheritance Partnership, every positive reform, every minute effort even though imperfect, contributes to shifting our state of existence to a higher level.
- Until the time when we let go of our greed and are satisfied with what life provides us, we need to reflect on and take moral responsibility for the lives of the disadvantaged people who are hidden from our sight.
Below are some feedbacks and comments that have come through in response to my essay on the website and particularly to my last email about a young Austrian woman who donated her inheritance to various charity organizations.
Mostafa Vaziri
Responses & Comments
“Dear Mostafa,
Thank you for your post. I think it is vitally important to think of ideals and even offer a utopian vision of just practice and ultimately a society. The more one works on the possibilities of its realization, the more concrete that utopian vision becomes. So, debating on the abolition of inheritance including the examples you provide are first steps to think about, debate, and to concretize that ideal.
Thank you again, dear Mostafa. “
-Asef
Asef Bayat, PhD
Professor of Sociology and Middle East Studies,
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
*********
“Thank you, dear Mostafa. I share your sentiment on the question of inheritance. However, as the cornerstone of class hierarchy, inheritance is one of the most stubborn features of humanity’s pre-civilized, or pre-Enlightened, as you say, history. Still, idealistic goals are necessary for their aspirational impact on humanity.”
-Afshin
AFSHIN MATIN-ASGARI
Professor
Department of History
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
********
“Dear Mostafa,
thank you for this interesting thought and directive.
I will be reading the article with great interest and also believe, as you so elaborately are practicing, that without keeping our efforts for a better and partly different future, changing some detrimental heritage and customs, the world will remain behind what is effectively happening in reality.
Best wishes for further continuation of your humane scientific approach.”
-Jaleh
Dr..Med. Jaleh Lackner (Gohari)
Fm. Medical Coordinator at IAEA & UN Organizations
********
“…However, it’s crucial to recognize that this is not the sole solution to the issue of wealth inequality. Alongside individual actions like charitable giving, structural reforms in economic and political systems are also necessary. These reforms should encompass raising taxes on the wealthy, investing in education and healthcare, and creating equal opportunities for all.”
-Kamran Moghadasi
********
“It is well known that so-called ‘charities’ are swindles.”
-Cyril Glassé
*********
“Dear Dr. Vaziri,
I was inspired by your article and idea when I donated the family heritage to the Museum of Tehran University. It was 18 pieces of very unique miniature paintings on a mosaic of leathers!
It was a very ancient art technique from my father’s art family from Isfahan. On the opening day I talked about family heritages, that a lot of them still are in Iran. Instead of selling or keeping, donate!
That act inspired the most respected Iranian artist, Monir Farmanfarmaian, to donate a collection of her best pieces to the same Museum!
The idea was contagious!
Thanks for sharing this idea!”
-Shahrzad Esfarjani
*************
Steven Javaherian, PhD
Click to read: The Inequities of Inheritance: A Call for Reform – Steve’s reflections on inheritance.