Transcendent values

Transcendental Values

1. Seek Truth.
2. Share Knowledge.
3. Govern Wisely.

Comments

These are transcendental values in the sense that we will never attempt to give them a formal definition. There are two reasons for this. First, we hope these values will never become points of competition within the group. Second they are invitations to anyone who shares these values to join the group. These are ideals toward which all our members continually strive. Those actions then progressively specify the actual meaning of our transcendental values as time goes on.

Regarding each value:

1. Truth is a transcendental value, because nobody knows the perfect truth about any subject. All our theories are incomplete and therefore flawed. We are trying to move toward the Truth, but are conscious of our insufficiency in every attempt. Therefore we strive to cultivate a healthy balance of skepticism and openness to explanations from any source.
2. Since truth can be found in anyone, we seek to educate and share our knowledge as widely as possible with anyone who wishes to help in the project of human improvement. Since we can never actually attain the perfect corpus of knowledge, finding the best way to share knowledge is a transcendent goal we can only ever attempt to improve.
3. Since truth can be found by anyone, we seek to decentralize the power to collectively determine what is important information and what is a better theory. As we advance the corpus of human knowledge and further understanding, we strive to decentralize the control of education, giving such power to those who are best suited to the task. Since we can never actually achieve the ideal distribution of power, finding the ideal governance strategies is a transcendent goal we can only ever attempt to improve.

See Also

Ethical Considerations

Governance Philosophy

Guiding Principles

• Individual Code of Conduct

• Group Governance Code of Conduct

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