Eco-humanity – the moral choice

Overcoming the threats posed by memetic evolution requires a fundamental change in human morality. It requires cooperation between people of all countries and beliefs. Nationalist, competitive instincts need to be overcome and we need to be inspired to work together for the good of all humanity. This would have to include not just scientists, New-Age travellers and the liberal middle classes but American red-necks, Indian peasants, Chinese communist party members, African subsistence farmers, the urban poor of Mexico City and all the peoples of the world. It sounds impossible. But history shows there is a chance. Religions or philosophies of life have a proven ability to appeal to a wide variety of national groups. Buddhism, for instance, spread from India to China and on to Japan; Islam from Arabia to Spain in the west and to Indonesia in the east, communism from Russia to China and Christianity from Europe to Latin America, Asia and Africa. Moreover, religions and philosophies of life have a proven record of persuading their followers to fast, give money to good causes and to make other personal sacrifices for the overall good of the movement. In addition, their congregations have maintained common rules of behaviour that are defined by their doctrines. If the idea of a life-fulfilling, eco-friendly philosophy of life is sufficiently inspirational and is able to garner fervent support from religious and non-religious alike, it is at least conceivable that it could unite everyone in its cause.

A partial demonstration of this occurred after the Second World War with the spread of liberal democracy to North America, West Europe, Japan, Korea and Oceania. All accepted the liberal humanist principles of liberty, equality and rationality. The so called ‘First World’ countries, united in opposition to communist/ dictatorial styles of government, ushered in a golden period of growth and prosperity. The Bretton Wood financial settlement, GATT agreements on trade, and defence accords in NATO and SEATO underpinned the co-operation. The UN declaration of Human Rights is a statement of liberal humanist values which was accepted by all.

Unfortunately, after the 1990s, once communism was discredited as a method of government, the need for unity diminished.  Neo-liberal economic policies and globalisation led to increased inequality and the rise of populist movements. Cross-country co-operation has declined and there has been a corresponding rise in quasi-tribal conflict between nations, religions and racial groups. Depressingly, the tribal instinct is very strong and it appears to be gaining momentum.

Populism represents a real threat to the tenets of liberal humanism. Opinions and decisions are justified by the charismatic leader by appealing to jingoistic patriotism.  As a result, the very principles on which our liberal humanist culture is founded, equality, freedom and rationality, are overturned. This is what is happening in Erdogan’s Turkey, Putin’s Russia, Bolsanaro’s Brazil, Modi’s India, Trump’s America and many other places in the world.

Liberal humanism has been the dominant philosophy of life of democratic capitalist countries for the past seventy years. However, liberal humanism has developed gradually and naturally in response to events. No guru has specifically espoused its ideals. No group specifically rallies round its principles. Except perhaps humanists, but they are a very small group. Many religious leaders have initially rejected some liberal humanist values. However, I would argue that many of their congregations are more tolerant. It seems to me that many, perhaps most, religious people in the West also de facto support liberal humanist ideals.  The abortion and same sex marriage votes in Catholic Ireland, in 2015/9, are the latest examples.

To stop the populist trend, those with liberal humanist attitudes have to step up to the plate. They have to become more fervent in expressing their beliefs and defending their way of life. In order to avert the evolutionary dangers ahead, they have to actively promote liberal humanism and its extension, eco-humanity, as a philosophy of life. Rational explanation alone will never be sufficient. To be successful it needs to be proselytised with the same belief and conviction as any religion.  It would need to be preached from the pulpits, be endorsed by political parties and fervently promoted by true believers. It would have to be supported by the non-religious and religious alike and appeal to all nations.

Positive change will only happen when communities share a common belief in the benefits of a new way forward. Those who develop a plausible explanation of why change is happening and offer practical solutions will set the belief system of the next generations. Memetic evolution provides an explanation for the changes that are affecting the modern world. Accepting its principles would allow people to comprehend the nature of the new pressures on their society and devise appropriate strategies to overcome them. The new world is changing very rapidly. To avoid a descent into chaos and confrontation we need to develop common moral imperatives. We need to unite behind the principles of eco-humanity, reinforce the virtues of rationality, equality and liberty, together with new ideas of preserving the environment. Only by cooperating can we make the world a better place for our children.

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