1: Philosophical Conclusions        Version 1.3 October 2023

We all live with dilemmas: we choose to seek the Truth, but our reasoning may be caused, chaotic or flawed, so we live with uncertainty and must allow for informed Diversity;

We can’t experience reality directly, but can use language to discuss a notional shared public Reality, although our experiences are sometimes wordless – mysterious and wondrous;

Our understanding of reality doesn’t involve god(s) or souls, only the natural world; our conscious minds are almost illusory yet we choose Life, and accept the struggle to live.

We have to respond to others, their upsides and downsides, but despite the dilemmas and doubts, we still choose to Love, to strive for Equality and assign Responsibility;

Despite being ephemeral, we appreciate Beauty in the natural and socially constructed worlds.

This philosophical analysis provides a justifiable set of core values.

 

2. Scientific Conclusions              Version 1.4 October 2023

Science has good explanations, some incomplete, some very detailed, some amazing, of how:

●   the universe emerged from the big bang and the nature of matter and energy;

●   the Earth came to be and how life evolved, where good and evil come from;

●   humans evolved into the conscious, cooperative, competitive and caring creatures we are.

These explanations will be replaced by even better ones as scientists learn more.

Science identifies strategies that work to promote our core values, such as reason and openness, which we call effecting values. 

They are the basis of a realistic universal narrative that helps to provide meaning and purpose.

 

3. Historical Conclusions                        Version 1.2 December 2016

History has good explanations of how societies began:

●   how geographical accidents led to different rates of development rather than the good or bad attributes of any ethnic group;

●   how xenophobia, class, caste, sexism and racism evolved in different societies;

●   how moving towards mixed market economics, secular, liberal democracy, and human rights, increases human happiness; and how national governments and our current global institutions aren’t adequately addressing global risks to our environment and societies. 

Despite history’s ups and downs, we choose Hope as a final core value, effecting values such as freedom and prosperity, and ancillary values – only applicable when applied in a good cause – such as duty, courage and resilience.

History adds to our universal narrative, providing context for our roles within it.

 

4. Religious Conclusions    Version 1.3 November 2018

We need to accept deep human needs:

●   for narratives that explain suffering, define our roles in the world, and provide meaning;

●   for exemplary models of behaviour and reasonable rituals and practices;

●   for safe communities that help us to live life more fully, compassionately and connected.

We must select what we take from all religions: we must learn about, understand, interpret and choose the best from the sacred texts and all other inspirational works;

Religion provides stories and practices that express, rather than provide, the core values we derive from our philosophy, enriching the universal narrative from science and history.

5 Cultural Conclusions              Version 1.2 December 2016

All creatives of culture, media and art must seek to be authentic, a value derived from Truth: to communicate, express, entertain, challenge and inform; to explore moral dilemmas, confront us with difference, provide insight into ourselves; and express the wordlessly inexpressible.

News media especially must portray the world, life, humanity, society and our leaders with balance, a value derived from Truth, Equality and Responsibility, and avoid creating misleading impressions, undue fear, or parochial prejudices.

As a society we need to be better media regulators, and as individuals better media consumers; and temperate, tolerant and truthful in all our interpersonal transactions.

 

6 Personal Conclusions            Version 1.2 December 2016

Our understanding of philosophy, science, history, religion and culture provides a universal narrative, revealing our multiple identities and potential roles.

We choose to adopt the core values and associated derived, effecting and ancillary values, presented herein, to guide the moment by moment choices we make in our personal lives.

These lead us to strive for personal integrity and consistency, physical and mental health, for joyful, consensual friendships and sexual relationships based on respect, to care for our families (spouses, dependent children, siblings and elderly parents), to contribute to and deal with our communities politely and ethically, to become more aware of and more connected to this mysterious world; and find meaning and purpose in the roles we choose to play.

 

7. Political Conclusions            Version 1.2 December 2016

We base our choices of political action on the same values we apply our personal practice, as we play our part in the universal narrative we have adopted.

Our political aim is to promote human fulfillment as peacefully as possible, so we promote freedom and prosperity through mixed economies (regulated markets and managed social welfare); secular liberal democracies; effective area government at local, state, and national levels that enforce human rights and promote sustainability; multinational bodies and non-government organizations that address inequality, oppression and global threats; broad, liberal, scientific and religious education of our children; and promoting to other adults increased awareness of these global beliefs and values.

 

8. Global Vision     Version 1.2 December 2016

These beliefs and values are the basis for a Reasonable Global Way of life: this Way is based on reason and evidence with a minimal degree of faith; it will be refined as we learn more.

It acknowledges the mystery of existence, our sense of wonder and awe, our longing for connectedness and ‘spiritual’ experiences.  It provides values: guides for how to behave.

It provides a universal narrative addressing our ultimate concerns, our origins and our nature; in which we see the roles that we can play, providing meaning, purpose and contentment.

 

Global Values based on global beliefs:  Version 1.2 December 2016

Core values we take, mostly from our philosophy, are:

    Truth, Diversity, Reality, Life, Love, Beauty, Responsibility, Equality and Hope.

Effecting values we take from science, history, religion, and culture, are, for example:

    Reason, Openness, Freedom, Prosperity, Narrative.

Derived from this core are values we apply in a range of knowledge domains, for example:

    Authenticity, Balance, Integrity, Respect.

Ancillary values we take from history, when related to a good cause, are, for example:

    Duty, Courage, Loyalty, Resilience.