What I intend to do is provide a *brief* breakdown of how I’ve built my worldview from the ground up. I’ll try to give at least one book per topic, if anyone wishes to begin their own exploration.
I’ll begin with the foundational question of God’s existence. The short answer is: God Doesn’t. Full stop. Recommended reading here is Victor Stenger’s “God: The Failed Hypothesis.” It provides a scientific critique of the divine, arguing that naturalism sufficiently explains the universe without invoking supernatural entities. By dismissing the need for a deity, we set the stage for a worldview grounded in reason and empirical evidence. Without this step, any coherent attempt at a multicultural universal ethics is doomed. We would always be at the mercy of those who not only don’t defend their beliefs, but who believe that calling on them to do so is one of the highest insults you can speak.
From this foundation, we establish secular ethics that focus on human well-being. Without reliance on divine command, morality is derived from principles like empathy, reciprocity, and the minimization of suffering. This approach aligns with the idea of moral objectivity based on human experience and logical reasoning made by Sam Harris in his book “The Moral Landscape.” Yes, you read that right. I am an atheist who believes in objective human morality.
The importance of free speech emerges as a cornerstone of this worldview. Christopher Hitchens famous speech (look for it on YouTube) exemplifies the critical role of open dialogue in challenging dogmas and advocating for progress. Protecting free expression is essential for the exchange of ideas and the incremental improvement of society. Karl Popper’s 2 part Opus “The Open Society and its Enemies” is a must read on the topic, providing a cool headed antidote to the historicist Utopianism of Marx.
Building on free speech, we embrace Karl Popper’s concept of incremental social change. We could stick with “The Open Society and its Enemies” but I believe his book “Conjectures and Refutations” highlights the evolutionary process of proposing and then testing hypothesis. We recognize this as scientific thinking, but it is just as valid in discussions of social policy. Rather than pursuing radical overhauls, society progresses through continuous critique, testing, and refinement of ideas. This piecemeal approach allows for adaptability and responsiveness to new challenges, fostering an open society where policies evolve based on evidence and reasoned debate as opposed to the hot headed nature and short life spans of mammals who demand immediate changes for which in the aftermath they have no plan.
Integrating economics into this framework, I consider capitalism with a social safety net, sometimes referred to as interventionist capitalism, to be the best on offer. Robert Reich’s “Saving Capitalism” is a great intro to this framework. This model maintains the efficiencies of a market economy while addressing social inequalities through government interventions. Popper’s incrementalism (sorry to be so particular about this one philosopher) supports this economic approach by advocating for gradual improvements and regulatory adjustments to fix systemic faults, rather than overhauling the entire system. This stands in contrast to communism, which leads to centralized control and diminished individual freedoms — outcomes that conflict with the values of open discourse and personal liberty that I emphasized previously. As E. O. Wilson once quipped of Communism: Great Idea, Wrong Species.
John Rawls’ contributions further enrich our perspective on social policy and justice through his work in “A Theory of Justice”. Rawls introduces the principles of “justice as fairness,” employing the thought experiment of the “original position” behind a “veil of ignorance.” This framework seeks to establish societal rules that are fair and impartial, ensuring that they benefit all members of society, especially the least advantaged. Rawls’ emphasis on reason and equality aligns with the secular, ethical foundation I began espousing, promoting a just society where individual rights are respected, and opportunities are accessible to all.
Humanism is another critical component, placing inherent worth and dignity at the center of ethical considerations. Richard Carrier’s “Sense and Goodness Without God” might be hard to find in print these days, so I would suggest instead Steven Pinker’s book “Enlightenment Now: The case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress.” Humanism promotes individual rights and freedoms that enable people to pursue fulfilling lives while emphasizing compassion and efforts to reduce suffering globally; a focus that is highlighted in movements like Effective Altruism and the website “GiveWell”. Humanism supports the idea that humans are capable of morality and self-fulfillment without reliance on the supernatural. As we are all the same species Humanism is a universal ethic best exemplified in Eleanor Roosevelt’s “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” in 1948. A humans dignity and worth should not diminish when they cross a border.
Recognizing our responsibility to future generations, environmental ethics then become essential. Sustainable practices and environmental stewardship ensure that our impact on the planet does not compromise the ability of others to thrive. This aligns with the moral objective of minimizing harm and promoting well-being on a global scale. There’s no book here as I believe that point to be self evident.
In conclusion, this coherent secular worldview is built upon a foundation of scientific understanding, objective ethics, free speech, equitable economics, principles of justice, humanism, and environmental responsibility. It advocates for a society that continuously seeks improvement through reasoned dialogue and evidence-based policies, aiming to enhance the well-being of individuals and communities alike. By integrating these elements, we construct a framework that emphasizes rational discourse, individual dignity, social justice, and collective responsibility — an approach that aspires to create a more just and compassionate world.