Collected Papers

Below are some papers exploring aspects and implications of the Principle of Goodness. As ethics is involved in just about everything, these papers can range across almost any subjects. More will be added, and feel free to contribute!


Protecting Individual Identity and Diversity in a United World: a new basis in fundamental ethical theory

This is the paper presented at UNESCO's Eighth International Conference on Philosophy and Culture: Unity and Diversity in Religion and Culture, held in Seattle, Washington.

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Uncovering the Planetary Ethic

There is increasing recognition of the need for a Planetary Ethic; this paper investigates some requirements of such an ethic, and how they are met by the Principle of Goodness. (Virtual presentation at the Fourth International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities, July 2006.)

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The Principle of Goodness and Other Ethical Systems

A paper comparing goodness with utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, and others.

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Goodness and Religion

A paper showing teachings similar to the Principle as found in many scriptures of world religions.

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Goodness and Reality

Investigates one conception of reality within which the Principle of Goodness might be understood, and shows the viability of this conception by producing a comparable viable interpretation of quantum mechanics.

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From USQ Library: http://eprints.usq.edu.au/132/01/goodness-and-reality.pdf

The Ethical Dimension Of Human Nature: A New Realist Theory

Discusses Goodness from an individual perspective and as an integrating concept in relation to three kinds of ethical theory. Presented at the Third International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities, Cambridge, England.

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A New Way Needs a New Foundation: The Principle of Goodness, Law, and Society

Discusses some consequences of the Principle for laws and society, emphasising the need for inclusion at foundational levels, such as, in the case of the state, the constitutional. Presented at the Third International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities, Cambridge, England.

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The Death Penalty and the Principle of Goodness

This is perhaps the first paper in which the Principle of Goodness is applied to a directly practical problem of great interest and importance (and controversy) in the world today. It is very encouraging that the abstract Principle can be used to get concrete guidance on such a significant issue. (Presentation at the 2007 conference of the Australasian Association of Philosophy, July 2007.)

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