Sense’07 Philosophy introduction

The purpose of the Sense’07 political philosophy is to provide a starting point from which, using rational and consistent processes, we may develop a more detailed philosophy from which we can develop a sensible democracy and national constitution. 

For the philosophy to be useful, it must:

be based on a clear understanding of what a human being is and be consistent with human nature as it is, and as we may want it to be…

develop values that are appropriate to the realities of human life – now and into the future... 

allow the creation of more philosophy, as we learn more about ourselves, as we develop [create] more appropriate models of ourselves …

be expressed in terms that all can test, that all can share. 

In a sentence:

to be useful, political philosophy, which is about what we should do, in the name of the public – must be based on what we know of ourselves and on what we think we want to achieve…and be expressed in terms that are open to all.

This clearly means we need to adopt consistent terms – terms whose meaning is open to all, is shared.    The only way we can share meaning, or have meaningful discussion is by being Rational.  This requires that

• we accept that meanings (whether in the sense of definitions of words or of the significance of events) must be shared to be valid;
• we accept that meanings can only be shared when they are based on evidence that’s open to all for assessment and that passes the common tests of evidence;
• we communicate ‘in good faith’, i.e. we must try to be honest and open – even when it doesn’t suit our narrow or short-term interests.

 The above are minimum requirements for rational discussion, because each of us must accept that no individual knows everything, and that others can’t be expected to accept your knowledge on faith.  Each must come to realise that 'absolute faith is absolute arrogance'.