The phrase “arc of the moral universe” as quoted by Dr. King implies a larger order to the world than a human being is capable of fully recognizing. To further describe it as “long” suggests that it may tend to curve in degrees beyond the span of a single human life or even a generation. Being a pastor, it is a powerful statement that Dr. King chose these somewhat secular terms to quote. A moral universe, like the belief in a higher power, is semantically precarious and perhaps means something different to everyone who would try to define it. However, while the “arc of the moral universe” implies a faith in a larger universal order, it doesn’t have to be preternatural. It simply asserts that nature and its forces strive to maintain a natural balance and that a natural balance somehow corresponds with human ideals. This distinction is important when considering concepts like social justice and economic justice as it allows these issues to be addressed across creeds while still appealing to a higher order.
Regardless of context, it is arguable that any ideal is always a reflection of the belief in some larger order. After all, any attempt at fairness or justice is logically absurd without at least the belief that such a standard leads to an equilibrium more conducive to human prosperity. Further, if there is a moral principle that leads to balance in the microcosm, it stands to reason that there would be a correlation in the universe at large. In short, human morality suggests a moral universe, and the moral universe suggests human morality. This can be seen in practical terms as well as humane ones if taken in the context that civil unrest is often created by those who have been somehow marginalized by society. Thus, in society, the right and charitable thing will ultimately allow a more peaceful balance favorable to survival.
In a broader context, models of social and economic justice could be considered as philosophical logarithms, necessary because the universe’s moral arc is too long for us to fully comprehend within the limits of our cognition. From a societal perspective, they are the scaffolding that enables human societies to build on a more intuitive understanding; which is, that along with our duty to survival, we have a duty to ease suffering in the world. In fact, survival and social justice are closely linked on a long enough timeline, assuming that the moral universe truly bends towards this balance.
That said, it is an error to assume that we know which way the moral arc bends, at least in terms of current events. After all, often times the bad can lead to the good and vice versa. Ultimately, such value judgments serve to exacerbate existential fears and lead to despair, ambivalence, even hatred. In fact, a case could be made that this mistake is largely the source of the polarity of political opinion in U.S. culture right now. Both “sides” believe they are somehow more aligned with the greater good. However, it is ultimately vanity to believe we can understand the larger order of the universe, and accordingly, I don’t think we can bend or manipulate its arc. Instead, we can merely adhere to it or deviate from it. Thus, from a moral perspective, the inherent fallibility of human understanding instead necessitates that we try to be open and tolerant to others, even those whose perspective we find abhorrent or rooted in ignorance.
On the other hand, this does not give us license to ignore, abide, or tolerate injustice itself, nor does it give us permission to turn away from suffering. Quite the contrary, I believe the arc of the moral universe requires that taking part in the struggle for justice is integral to human survival. The arc of the moral universe bends towards justice regardless, but it is key to the integrity and longevity of the individual and of a society to align with the moral universe’s arc. After all, a moral universe that bends toward justice will not abide injustice forever.
This is perhaps the role of a social worker. On an individual level, the social worker must first approach a person as a person, or in other words, as an entity with a core set of values interpreted through an inherently imperfect understanding. That is the only common ground from which change can be inspired in an individual. Further, change in groups can really only be inspired one individual at a time. It is the social worker’s responsibility to serve and to show compassion and understanding for the person that must navigate society regardless of values; in particular, those individuals who face intrinsic disadvantages by nature of their relationship to the whole (disabled individuals, the elderly, children, minorities). This service to the individual in turn provides a service to the community by providing a blueprint for human survival and prosperity. From a wider angle, it is the social worker’s role to organize and maintain this example on a large scale in service to the community. Social workers establish and shape the network that ultimately allows for social and economic justice. This network in turn serves to maintain a peaceful balance among humans in communities both large and small. In a universal sense, this contributes to humanity’s need to conform to the curvature of the universe’s moral arc so that a balance may be achieved. The balance ultimately creates a world in which we are allowed a greater chance to survive.
In my mind, our own horizon serves as the best metaphor for understanding the arc of the moral universe. Most people will never reach the altitude where the curvature can be seen by the naked eye. Those that do will only get a glimpse of it, at least in the larger context of their lifespan. Human beings lived for a long time in a flat world before the intuition arose necessary to prove the sweep of the horizon, longer still before that actuality was not suppressed by the political and social infrastructure of the times. Even with today’s scientific advancement and technological achievement, every one of us is ultimately relegated to a flat earth perspective. It is only by way of human intuition and rationality that we have a knowledge base that can see beyond such intrinsic limitations. The arc of the moral universe, like the curvature of the earth, is long and slow, thus making it ever-necessary for those with the capability to perceive it to provide an example in plain sight.