LH..I said nothing about "capabilities and potential" my cynicism is directed at a practical view of human attitudes...and, I do not disagree in any way that "that a better material life, a more secure life, and a greater degree of personal security and equality encourages most people to develop higher awareness.".....but the operative word is encourages....it does not 'ensure'.

Are not those who DO the oppressing and exhibit the inequality & greed themselves human? What is it that makes those who have 'enough' want 'more' rather than offering to share?

I'd suppose that you & I, being conscientious fellows, if we were suddenly in charge, would strive to provide "the greatest good for the greatest number" as Utilitarians would suggest, but I have SEEN examples of those who have all they need work hard to get more than their share...in all areas of life. It is probably a survival trait encoded in our DNA, and requires an unusual attitude to rise above it. I simply claim that in order to have a chance of appealing to people's 'higher' natures, we will have to appeal to their fears first, and scare them out of their wits before we get population control and land and food enough to make 'philosophy' more than a game for such as you & I.