The Ultimate Rational Ethical Principle
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:29 pm
The Humanianity movement is based on an “Ultimate Rational Ethical Principle,” which all ethical beliefs in its Belief Manual are written to be consistent with. This Ultimate Principle is currently stated in the Belief Manual as:
“We should do that which will promote not only the survival of our species but also as much joy, contentment, and appreciation as possible, and as little pain, suffering, disability, and early death as possible, for everyone, now and in the future.”
Rational-Ethical Living and the Emergence of “Homo Rationalis” (book 1) provides another statement of this Ultimate Principle as:
“What should be done is that which will most likely promote the survival of and the good life for our species, that is, for everyone, now and in the future. The good life is the experiencing of as much joy, appreciation, and contentment as possible, and therefore as little pain, suffering, disability, and early death as possible.”
I suggest improving the statement of this Ultimate Principle as:
"We should act to promote the survival of our species and to maximize the quality of life experienced by everyone, now and future. High quality of life includes maximizing joy, contentment, and appreciation, plus minimizing pain, suffering, disability, and early death.”
Note: I use the word “includes” to indicate that high and low quality of life are not necessarily limited to the listed qualities of life.
“We should do that which will promote not only the survival of our species but also as much joy, contentment, and appreciation as possible, and as little pain, suffering, disability, and early death as possible, for everyone, now and in the future.”
Rational-Ethical Living and the Emergence of “Homo Rationalis” (book 1) provides another statement of this Ultimate Principle as:
“What should be done is that which will most likely promote the survival of and the good life for our species, that is, for everyone, now and in the future. The good life is the experiencing of as much joy, appreciation, and contentment as possible, and therefore as little pain, suffering, disability, and early death as possible.”
I suggest improving the statement of this Ultimate Principle as:
"We should act to promote the survival of our species and to maximize the quality of life experienced by everyone, now and future. High quality of life includes maximizing joy, contentment, and appreciation, plus minimizing pain, suffering, disability, and early death.”
Note: I use the word “includes” to indicate that high and low quality of life are not necessarily limited to the listed qualities of life.