This page presents the current, highest-level conclusions in each knowledge domain that underlie our choices, and hence the values adopt, that together are the basis of a Reasonable Global Way.

1: Philosophical Conclusions                                                    Version 1.2 December 2016

We all live with dilemmas:

●  we choose to seek the Truth about an objective Reality, but our reasoning may be flawed, caused or chaotic, so we live with uncertainty and must allow Diversity;

●  we can’t experience this reality directly and our experiences are sometimes wordless – mysterious and wondrous;

●  our understanding of reality doesn’t require any god(s), souls or spirits, but only the natural world, yet we still choose Life;

●  our conscious minds are almost illusory, but we can still choose the path of Love, pursue Equality and Responsibility and appreciate Beauty,

and this philosophy provides core values.  more

2. Scientific Conclusions                                                           Version 1.2 December 2016

Science has good explanations, some very detailed, some amazing, of

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

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

●  how humans evolved, our sexuality, our drives, our humanity.

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

●  These explanations will be replaced by even better ones as scientists learn more; but

●  they are the basis of a very good universal narrative that helps to provide meaning. more

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 sexism and racism developed in different societies;

●  how moving towards market economics and secular, liberal democracy and human rights, increases human happiness;

●  how national governments and our current global institutions aren’t adequately addressing global risks to our environment and society;

●  however, despite history’s ups and downs, we choose Hope as a core value, effecting values such as freedom and prosperity, and ancillary values, such as duty, courage and strength, when applied in a good cause;

and history adds to our universal narrative, providing context for our role within it.  more

4. Religious Conclusions                                                           Version 1.2 December 2016

We need to accept deep human needs:

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

●  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 can’t follow any fixed set of beliefs

●  we must understand, interpret and choose the best from the sacred texts and all other inspirational works;

●  thus 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.  more

5 Cultural Conclusions                                                              Version 1.2 December 2016

All forms 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;

●  to 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.  more

6 Personal Conclusions                                                             Version 1.2 December 2016

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

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

leading 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 parts we choose to play.  more

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 reasonable and rational universal narrative we have identified;

●  hence our political aim is to promote human fulfillment as peacefully as possible,

●  so we promote freedom and prosperity through: mixed economies (regulated markets with managed social welfare) and 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;

●  and broad, liberal, scientific and religious education of our children and

promoting increased awareness of these global beliefs and values to other adults, .  more

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 a universal narrative addressing our ultimate concerns, in which we see the parts that we can play, providing meaning, purpose and contentment;

explaining our origins, nature and what we should do.  more

Values we adopt based on these conclusions:                               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 all 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, Strength.

These values are based on our global beliefs, and underlie a Reasonable Global Way.