The word “chivalry” may bring to mind scenes of medieval knights living to a code of behavior based on virtue, honor and courage. But what was chivalry at its core? How is it different, or separate, from the romantic legends that developed about it later?
People throughout the ages, from East to West and throughout many cultures, have felt drawn and attracted to chivalrous ideas and values and virtues. Are these just old, outdated, romantic kinds of ideas? Or do they have some validity in a postmodern, cynical, polarized world?
We explore these questions with a diverse group of individuals who find themselves drawn to this research, to this work, and to this inquiry.
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I think respect and decent behavior are hardwired in humans, and the opposite has to be learned…The protection of the vulnerable and the giving of a voice to the people who have no voice, I think that's part of chivalry and something that is needed in the world, and it really cries out for it.”
Marianne Ashcroft
Since I was a small child, I have always been searching for what's real and irrefutable. Not prepared to settle for the answers that others chose to give me, I set out to find out for myself why I'm here and what I'm here to do; what I'm part of and how I can honour my part in it.
I believe every life has a song to sing, and we can each discover our unique combination of notes from the talents, skills, perceptions and passions that each life is gifted with.
Jeremy Stuart
I believe that inside everyone lives genius, whether active or yet to appear; and that it is a great service to try to foster it in oneself and in others. When people feel safe enough to exchange freely and honestly, with respect for each other and their differences, exciting things happen. That's why I'm here.
Sus Friis Jorgensen
It would appear that life is a long line of changes - and seemingly not a straight line and neither a one line! Whenever I attempted to sort out my life, once and for all, I mostly ended up engaging with the most unpredictable and surprising aspects of life - as if life itself didn’t want me to put it into a foreseeable outcome: The journey started along educational pathways leading to classical physics. Then leaps happened and I continued along an artistic line as a professional dancer working at theatres & art schools and - later again - teaching instead of performing.
Now, I find myself at the point of starting all over, so.. changes.
It is still a complete enigma to me what being alive is all about. I am still writing “my own ticket” in life to become a self-chosen, best-version of being me, being human.
Aviv Shahar
Aviv is the Founder of Aviv Consulting, helping leaders unleash strategic innovation, and is the author of Create New Futures: How Leaders Produce Breakthroughs and Transform the World Through Conversation.
