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(8/4/01)

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Arthur M. Jackson .................... VOL. I 90,000 words

........................................ VOL. II 300,000 words

San Jose, CALIFORNIA

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Copyright 2001

A NEW FOUNDATION FOR CIVILIZATION

VOLUME II

sub-title

SCIENCE OF ETHICS:

A User's Guide for Modern Humans

by

Arthur M. Jackson

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This book consists of two volumes. VOLUME I presents the basic ideas laying the foundation for a Science of Ethics. VOLUME II -- included here -- provides additional supportive evidence, information, ideas, etc. Fanatical efforts are used to avoid sexist language, so no words are assigned male gender just because it is customary to do so. All unspecified individuals are assumed to be female as likely as male. Rather than using many he/she pronouns, "they" is frequently used in an effort to expand the modern practice permitting this option.

The aim of this book is the synthesis of all knowledge into one congruent system that fits together and flows from one fact to another without artificial bridges or connections. The goal of this synthesis is to clarify how all human beings can achieve a meaningful life. The search is for real meaning and worthwhile living based on knowledge and understanding. It attributes the current conditions of non-productive human suffering, pain, and anguish in the form of starvation, poverty, disease, depression, etc. to our collective ignorance. Knowledge is proposed as being the means for each individual to achieve a Sustainable Feeling that their Life Has Meaning (SFLIHM). The view is taken that the human condition can best be improved by developing a Science of Religion that provides an organizing principle able to connect all knowledge into one congruent whole, and upon which a Religion of Wisdom can be erected. The former must plainly set forth the requirements necessary for human beings to achieve a Sustainable Feeling that their Life Has Meaning, and the latter must utilize these requirements. Due to the foregoing this book can do little more than point a beam of light into an infinite cavern of darkness and hope that others like what they see, and bring their beams to further light our way.

Because a Science of Ethics would be concerned with all knowledge, anything written about them can be true only in the sense that any scientific principle, is true - that it leads to better understanding, new insights, more successful prediction, etc.

The reader must view this book in that light. If they are looking for Truth, they will not find it here. The ideas presented are not seen as invariant truths, but more as theories, hypotheses, or possibilities. If further thought or research shows them to be untenable or untrue, they must be discarded.

On the other hand this is not an ethics of words alone. It speaks for joy in living and begs action. More than that: It demands action. This Science of Ethics is meant to change the world; to replace inadequate societies with better ones. They attempt to determine what is good and lasting in life and how such may be attained. They accept that the foregoing is a scientific pursuit and must be pursued scientifically. They recognize that improperly organized societies can never be wholly adequate for any of their members. More humane and honest communities must be achieved. Herein lies a framework which, I hope, will help the reader to join with others in building better communities, and make clear what better means.

If readers would like to see a Science of Ethics developed, they could help to do so by noting all the errors they find herein and either reworking the materials to eliminate the errors and/or forwarding them to the author along with any desired comments. Also, they can help by establishing Wisdom Groups to work with other interested persons to turn the vision presented here into a reality.

Your help is solicited in these efforts. Contact me at: Arthur Jackson

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Unless this book sparks a dialogue, action, a focused effort, it has failed in its purpose.

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