2022 Morality And Human Flourishing
Introduction – Slide1 – Title
This presentation is the result of years of research since I retired in 1993 at the age of 56. I’ve just turned 85. The theme of this presentation is a suggestion that the more moral we are the more we will flourish individually and as a society. The main focus is on ideas from two books read recently.
Firstly “How God Works” by David DeSteno published in 2021
DeSteno’s research has shown how humans can benefit from religious observance and suggests rituals play an important role in human wellbeing. Rituals can remind people to focus on a higher order of existence and how grateful they are to be alive. An attitude of gratitude is known to be important to individual wellbeing. The good news for atheists is that you don’t have to believe in the supernatural to gain the benefits of taking part in rituals and enjoy the associated social connection. Social connection, along with an attitude of gratitude, is another significant factor in individual wellbeing.
For me the nett takeaway from this book is – it is ridiculous for us to be divided between religion and science. They are both necessary for human flourishing and the development of a more moral society.
The second book is “How We Became Human” by Tim Dean also published in 2021.
To me this is the book that needed to be written if we are to make any progress with morality and human flourishing. Dean covers the origin of morality and religion and dissects some key issues including racism and sexism. Importantly he covers the human tendency to become outraged individually and collectively, along with the abuse of electronic media to cancel people and inflict mental illness on vulnerable people. He starts with identifying our moral baggage and ends with the suggestion as to how we might progress.
I have book notes on each of these and other relevant books. These notes, this presentation, and other material, will appear on a new web site created specifically for the purpose of saving people and the planet in the hope people can flourish more in the future. I believe we can at least aspire to this end and may be able to make a difference if we can become more moral and create a new morality to deal with the challenges, complexity, and uncertainty currently facing humanity.
I need your help and that of everyone else to develop this theme that morality is good for us individually and collectively. The web site will have a form you can fill out with your ideas of how we might proceed. This is very much a work in progress and all ideas are welcome.
I will be interested in your input today. Here are the topics I want to cover briefly and get your suggestions. Slide 2 – topics.