Less. A philosophy on life based on simple living, which results in having more actual time, freedom, pleasure, leisure, health, and happiness.
In our modern consumerist society, we are constantly encouraged to desire more in pursuit of the good life
.
Ultimately we remain unsatisfied, always comparing ourselves to those who have more.
Less does not mean doing without. Less means focusing on what matters most to you, and giving it your all.
Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.
-Epicurus
Liberty. The inalienable right of freedom to be who you truly are, so long as it does not
infringe on the equal freedoms of others. Complete freedom, governed by the Golden Rule
(What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others
), and
the Hippocratic Oath (first, do no harm
).
The liberty of the individual is something to be cherished and preserved. Laws should not exist to restrict individual freedom, but instead only to protect that freedom.
Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.
-George Bernard Shaw
Ecocentrism. The entire ecosphere (of which we are a part of) is of greater value and significance than humanity alone, and thus everything we do should involve consideration of its ecological impact.
Global plastic pollution has reached the point where it has created a new marine ecosystem
coined the plastisphere
, and over 80% of drinking water has been found to contain microplastics.
All organisms are evolved from Earth, sustained by Earth. Thus Earth, not organism, is the metaphor for Life.
Earth not humanity is the Life-center, the creativity-center.
-Stan Rowe
Spirituality. Freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right, and exists primarily to protect the liberty of the individual to have their own beliefs. Unfortunately, at times, religious beliefs may be at odds with individual liberty based on ethics or morals. Societal laws should be determined by evaluating liberty, and not intepreting scripture.
That said, there is far more connecting us, our planet, and the entire cosmos, than the views and opinions of differing religious beliefs. Faith can create cohesion as well as division, thus a framework of interfaith coexistence is needed.
Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.
-Carl Sagan
