Discovering the path to true honor
Cultural, religious and theological dynamics of honor in Eastern and Western societies.
Honor – respect, feeling good about oneself, a sense that things are right. We want honor, but what is it really?
How can we achieve more honor, real honor, honorable honor? And avoid shame? In countries like Iran and Afghanistan, the honorable person is called a jawan-mard (young man, true hero). The phenomenon of jawanmardi (genuine heroism) is not just related to Persian, but I would like to think, it’s a universal pursuit. Some have said that Jesus was the greatest of all heroes.
Dr. Arley Loewen
Specialist in honour and shame cultures
I grew up in rural mid-West Canada, but have lived in a Persian-Afghan context and studied the culture for many years. In 2003, my wife and I moved to Afghanistan where I developed a leadership–management training program for Afghan professionals and students.
I explore how modern leadership and management relate to shame / honor and patron-client societies. In other words, how we can be truly honorable leaders and managers.
Arley's Published Work
Blood Stains
Struggling to make a living with his small corner store, Akram notices some young boys playing cricket. Thoughts from the past flood his mind. Then a…
Towards True Honor
We naturally love honor and fear shame. We want to live with honor as individuals, families, and communities. Yet honor is evasive, hard to achieve…
Rethinking Shame and Honour
In many cultures, preserving personal and family honour, and avoiding shame, are key social goals. So how should we receive or give honour when we…