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Developing A Universal Religion

2007-11-12T00:36:57Z

86.138.18.152: /* Possible Applications (Ch.12) */

===Developing A Universal Religion===

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/Introduction|Introduction]]===

(Please read the Discussion Section for a comment upon this Introduction.)

Before we begin we should clarify the distinction between a “meta-purpose” and the “universal purpose” we have been seeking to guide our collective morality.

Part Three sought evidence that the behaviour of the universe or life might be directed toward achieving some kind of purpose. It found none. It then suggested that (and proposed a reason why) life might continue evolving until it became an omnipotent being (but emphasized that there is no proof that this must occur).

Since the universe behaves rationally, life’s survival depends upon behaving rationally also. Sentient beings, able to plan ahead before acting, behave rationally when they pre-determine a purpose and make decisions that, when acted upon, help to achieve the chosen purpose. We might decide that “supporting life’s journey to become omnipotent” is a worthy goal, and we could make it our “meta-purpose” to guide moral decision making. However, this is too loose a statement for many practical purposes. While it might convey some emotional desires or feelings, it is not precise enough.

A statement intended to guide the moral (and therefore physical) behaviour of an entire civilization must be able to withstand all manner of challenges—legalistic, moralistic, religious, economic, and many more. “Helping life to become oB” will never survive a rational attack; a more robust definition of humanity’s goal is required. A clearly defined “universal purpose,” possibly based upon the desire to help life evolve to become oB, could turn wishful conjecture into practical precision. Moreover, if a “universal purpose” were to be derived from the concept of assisting life to become oB, then a potentially dry legal document might come to life—the vision empowering the definition.

How a universal purpose might be defined is touched upon in the Postscript to Chapter Fourteen; it is difficult task but not one we need dwell upon. The question, “why bother to do anything?” is a much more important topic and must be addressed. Why should anyone go to the trouble of contemplating the precise wording of a universal purpose?

Chapter Eleven suggests some philosophical reasons why the effort should be made while Chapter Twelve offers some practical ones. I hope that one or more of the thoughts expressed in those chapters convince at least a few readers that the undertaking would be well worth while.

Chapter Thirteen delves into the nitty gritty of a possible new morality. Assuming a universal purpose based upon the premise of oB was crafted, just what behaviours would it support, and what might it forbid? And what is the rationale for the answers provided? My thoughts, hopelessly biased by my constructs, are provided only to initiate the discussion. Superior minds will hopefully someday undertake the task of developing a rational morality, one that might better guide us in solving the extraordinarily complex issues we face today and will surely encounter tomorrow.

In eras past, religions took generations to develop, with emotions playing a large part. Nowadays a sound religion might be rationally grown in a decade or two, via electronic communications. As shown in the subtitle of this book, my emphasis is upon the need to develop a universal religion, and where one might look, not upon actually doing so. Nevertheless, it seems appropriate to outline how such a fantasy might someday become a reality; Chapter Fourteen offers my musings.

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/Introduction|Why Bother? (Ch.11)]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/1. Why Develop A Universal Purpose?|Why Develop A Universal Purpose?]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/2. Why Choose Life's Possible Endpoint?|Why Choose Life's Possible Endpoint?]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/3. Why Do Anything?|Why Do Anything?]]
[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/Summary|Summary]]

[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/Endnotes|Endnotes]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/Introduction|Possible Applications (Ch.12)]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/1. World Problems|World Problems]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/2. Exploitive Excesses|Exploitive Excesses]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/3. Globalization|Globalization]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/4. Terrorism|Terrorism]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/5. Genetics|Genetics]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/6. Technological Singularity|Technological Singularity]]
[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/Summary|Summary]]

[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/Endnotes|Endnotes]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours|Determining Moral Behaviours (Ch.13)]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/1. The Facts Of Life|The Facts Of Life]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/2. Behaviours Rewarded By Life|Behaviours Rewarded By Life]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/3. Behaviours That Enhance Life|Behaviours That Enhance Life]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/4. Determining Moral Behaviour|Determining Moral Behaviour]]
##[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/4.1 Killing|Killing]]
##[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/4.2 Personal Freedom|Personal Freedom]]
##[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/4.3 Genetic Manipulation|Genetic Manipulation]]
[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/Summary|Summary]]

[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/Endnotes|Endnotes]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion|A Universal Religion (Ch.14)]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/1. Characteristics Of A Universal Religion|Characteristics Of A Universal Religion]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/2. Developing A Universal Religion|Developing A Universal Religion]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/3. Universal Religion Proposal|Universal Religion Proposal]]
[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/Summary|Summary]]

[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/Endnotes|Endnotes]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/Conclusion|Conclusion]]===

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/Postscripts|Postscripts]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/Multi-year Targets|Multi-year Targets]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/Links to other Parts|Links to other Parts]]===
[[Thinking And Moral Problems|Part One. Thinking And Moral Problems]]

[[Religions And Their Source|Part Two. Religions And Their Source]]

[[Purpose|Part Three. Purpose]]

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Developing A Universal Religion]]
{{Alphabetical|D}}
{{shelf|Humanities}}
{{DDC|300}}

Developing A Universal Religion

2007-11-12T00:36:19Z

86.138.18.152: /* Possible Applications (Ch.12) */

===Developing A Universal Religion===

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/Introduction|Introduction]]===

(Please read the Discussion Section for a comment upon this Introduction.)

Before we begin we should clarify the distinction between a “meta-purpose” and the “universal purpose” we have been seeking to guide our collective morality.

Part Three sought evidence that the behaviour of the universe or life might be directed toward achieving some kind of purpose. It found none. It then suggested that (and proposed a reason why) life might continue evolving until it became an omnipotent being (but emphasized that there is no proof that this must occur).

Since the universe behaves rationally, life’s survival depends upon behaving rationally also. Sentient beings, able to plan ahead before acting, behave rationally when they pre-determine a purpose and make decisions that, when acted upon, help to achieve the chosen purpose. We might decide that “supporting life’s journey to become omnipotent” is a worthy goal, and we could make it our “meta-purpose” to guide moral decision making. However, this is too loose a statement for many practical purposes. While it might convey some emotional desires or feelings, it is not precise enough.

A statement intended to guide the moral (and therefore physical) behaviour of an entire civilization must be able to withstand all manner of challenges—legalistic, moralistic, religious, economic, and many more. “Helping life to become oB” will never survive a rational attack; a more robust definition of humanity’s goal is required. A clearly defined “universal purpose,” possibly based upon the desire to help life evolve to become oB, could turn wishful conjecture into practical precision. Moreover, if a “universal purpose” were to be derived from the concept of assisting life to become oB, then a potentially dry legal document might come to life—the vision empowering the definition.

How a universal purpose might be defined is touched upon in the Postscript to Chapter Fourteen; it is difficult task but not one we need dwell upon. The question, “why bother to do anything?” is a much more important topic and must be addressed. Why should anyone go to the trouble of contemplating the precise wording of a universal purpose?

Chapter Eleven suggests some philosophical reasons why the effort should be made while Chapter Twelve offers some practical ones. I hope that one or more of the thoughts expressed in those chapters convince at least a few readers that the undertaking would be well worth while.

Chapter Thirteen delves into the nitty gritty of a possible new morality. Assuming a universal purpose based upon the premise of oB was crafted, just what behaviours would it support, and what might it forbid? And what is the rationale for the answers provided? My thoughts, hopelessly biased by my constructs, are provided only to initiate the discussion. Superior minds will hopefully someday undertake the task of developing a rational morality, one that might better guide us in solving the extraordinarily complex issues we face today and will surely encounter tomorrow.

In eras past, religions took generations to develop, with emotions playing a large part. Nowadays a sound religion might be rationally grown in a decade or two, via electronic communications. As shown in the subtitle of this book, my emphasis is upon the need to develop a universal religion, and where one might look, not upon actually doing so. Nevertheless, it seems appropriate to outline how such a fantasy might someday become a reality; Chapter Fourteen offers my musings.

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/Introduction|Why Bother? (Ch.11)]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/1. Why Develop A Universal Purpose?|Why Develop A Universal Purpose?]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/2. Why Choose Life's Possible Endpoint?|Why Choose Life's Possible Endpoint?]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/3. Why Do Anything?|Why Do Anything?]]
[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/Summary|Summary]]

[[Developing A Universal Religion/1. Why Bother?/Endnotes|Endnotes]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/Introduction|Possible Applications (Ch.12)]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/1. World Problems|World Problems]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/2. Exploitive Excesses|Exploitive Excesses]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/3. Globalization|Globalization]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/4. Terrorism|Terrorism]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/5. Genetics|Genetics]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/6. Technological Singularity|Genetics]]
[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/Summary|Summary]]

[[Developing A Universal Religion/2. Possible Applications/Endnotes|Endnotes]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours|Determining Moral Behaviours (Ch.13)]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/1. The Facts Of Life|The Facts Of Life]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/2. Behaviours Rewarded By Life|Behaviours Rewarded By Life]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/3. Behaviours That Enhance Life|Behaviours That Enhance Life]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/4. Determining Moral Behaviour|Determining Moral Behaviour]]
##[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/4.1 Killing|Killing]]
##[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/4.2 Personal Freedom|Personal Freedom]]
##[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/4.3 Genetic Manipulation|Genetic Manipulation]]
[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/Summary|Summary]]

[[Developing A Universal Religion/3. Determining Moral Behaviours/Endnotes|Endnotes]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion|A Universal Religion (Ch.14)]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/1. Characteristics Of A Universal Religion|Characteristics Of A Universal Religion]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/2. Developing A Universal Religion|Developing A Universal Religion]]
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/3. Universal Religion Proposal|Universal Religion Proposal]]
[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/Summary|Summary]]

[[Developing A Universal Religion/4. A Universal Religion/Endnotes|Endnotes]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/Conclusion|Conclusion]]===

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/Postscripts|Postscripts]]===
#[[Developing A Universal Religion/Multi-year Targets|Multi-year Targets]]

===[[Developing A Universal Religion/Links to other Parts|Links to other Parts]]===
[[Thinking And Moral Problems|Part One. Thinking And Moral Problems]]

[[Religions And Their Source|Part Two. Religions And Their Source]]

[[Purpose|Part Three. Purpose]]

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Developing A Universal Religion]]
{{Alphabetical|D}}
{{shelf|Humanities}}
{{DDC|300}}