the Creative Ethic is...

a proposal for a different way of thinking

and living our relationship with the world

We are relational beings

Based primarily on the obvious fact that we, as human beings, are relational beings, the Creative Ethic invites us to recognise that we exist in relationships across three levels : with ourselves, with others and with the world.

We are open beings

Secondly, based on the proposition that we are open beings from birth, gradually opening ourselves up to relationships with one or more caring adults who give us the sense of existing within a secure environment.

When all goes well, on this basis of a three-tiered relational structure, we can speak of three kinds of relational creativity.

We are beings of meaning

Thirdly, recognising the obvious fact that we are also beings of meaning who reflect, question, discover, marvel and experience emerging meanings within us: personally, interpersonally and collectively in our world, through the prism of our culture.

From childhood, we have been within these three spheres of meaning with their symbolic systems.

3 levels of relational creativity

These selected parameters of the Creative Ethic construct a sort of ‘framework for thinking differently’ and bring to light, within an overall dynamic, elements of life that are little recognised and rarely celebrated:

- The interplay of the relationship with myself
- The Play of Relating with (an) other
- The Play of life when we recognise these three levels of relational creativity, allowing this emergence of meaning from the process of living to unfold continuously.

• living life creatively, enjoying the extraordinary and wonderful experiences that ‘life’ has to offer
• to have the "feeling" that it is possible, to some extent, to shape one’s own life despite everything

Remaining open to the new, the unknown, the uncertain and the unpredictable.
Finding the courage to take risks and dare to explore further, seek out and appreciate new experiences.

Ensuring we maintain a deep respect for others’ different perspectives and ways of life.

Creatively exploring the existential questions underlying so many signs of our distress or the ‘symptoms’ of so-called ‘mental’ or relational problems.

Avoid problematisation, polarisation and pathologisation.

Respect the great complexity and multiple facets of a situation or a person.

Maintain openness despite conditions and circumstances that might lead to closing off or withdrawing from oneself, others or the world.

Recognise that we are both unique individuals and part of a collective cultural whole.

Adopt a non-violent approach in the way we behave, speak and think.

Work towards the acceptance and inclusion of people considered different because of their age, ethnicity, gender and religion...

Celebrating the inherent potential for openness in human beings as their defining characteristic.

Valuing and affirming diversity, difference and divergence from rigid norms and assigned categories...

Avoiding “duality” in thought, dualisms in speech, and avoiding an emphasis on a professional, dialogical mode of therapeutic practice with parents, patients and professionals within the network.

The trialogical perspective of the Creative Ethic opens up a relational space where this mutual creative space offers great freedom of expression.

Encouraging a relational space in all types of relationships (e.g. interpersonal, educational, group dynamics)

thus offering movement, exploration and spontaneity, rather than imposing constraints, organising and analysing from a perspective based on specific presuppositions.

the Creative Ethic

The O checklist