Premises for the Lifestance

Basic premise on autonomy

Premise 1 is a belief in the individual's ability for autonomy, that is, for independent thinking and acting using knowledge and reason, and guided by responsible values ​​and guidelines.

In this wording, the word 'responsible' may mean that the relevant the values ​​and approaches express an ability both for empathizing with individual fellow human beings, for solidarity within a group, and for practical action when it comes to meeting global challenges. The term 'reason' subsumes logical and rational thinking as well as common sense and intermediate forms between these styles of thinking.

Value culture and value communities

Premise 2 is a belief in the need for a vital value culture in society. This means that there should be an open and lively debate on values, a debate in which differing opinions can be expressed forward, broken against each other, and always treated respectfully. Eating and labeling of those who have opposing views towards oneself must be completely foreign to a good culture of values.

This premise is based on a perception that people's values ​​are important from the point of view of society, and not only from the individual's own, and further that these values ​​are shaped and developed in and by the society in which one lives.

Values and cardinal values

Premise 3. Now that values ​​are formed and developed in a value culture, it claims the third premise that every state needs to have certain society-founding values which are accepted by the majority of citizens. That should include such values which are important for the state and society to function well. This is discussed more in detail in the next chapter.

Some of the societal values ​​should also be included or some cardinal values, that is, such values ​​as sets an overall goal for human existence. If any once a contradiction arises between one cardinal valuation and another valuation, it is the latter that should primarily be reconsidered. But it hinders not that even cardinal values can be reconsidered if there are enough strong reasons for this.

Premise 4 states one such cardinal value, namely, the objective for human society that each individual shall be able to develop her abilities as far as possible, and in particular her capacity for autonomy. This premise expresses an expectation that all individuals shall have adopted this value, and also a guideline for the organization of society. It is expected that both the individual and society shall contribute to the stated goal.

Mutual values and attitudes

The following additional premises refer to values ​​and guidelines that contribute to the overall goal in premise 4, ie. the stated cardinal value.

Premise 5 argues the great importance of an open mind, both towards other people and towards new knowledge and new opinions. Openness to others also includes empathy. Openness and empathy are prerequisites for the purpose stated in premise 3, and also for the debates in a value community. In that context, it is especially important that the members of a value community do not merely have an open mind towards its other members, but also towards facts, opinions and values ​​that arrive from the outside.

Premise 6 applies to the related terms solidarity and trust . People's ability for responsible values ​​and guidlines is often exercised on an individual level and in concrete situations, but it contributes also to trust and solidarity within larger or smaller groups. On a national level, both trust and solidarity are important in themselves, but also since these characteristics interact with the common values in a mutually reinforcing way.

The freedoms and rights of citizens

Premise 7 is a principled position in favor of civil liberties and rights, ie the freedoms, rights, and also obligations that shall apply to every citizen of a society, and that constitute an important part of the values ​​there.

The term civil rights is arguably more correct than human rights because it largely concerns rights that are to be guaranteed by a state, and which do not come about by themselves.

Well-known and widely accepted lists of human rights belong under this premise. However, value liberalism itself is not committed to any particular list of civil rights since the view of these may differ due to local conditions, and they may also develop over time.

Premise 8. Activities that propose and debate rational and well-considered changes in attitudes and values are to be considered as being part of the value culture, and as such they shall have the same liberties and the same restrictions as other activities in the public discourse.

Global sustainability

The following is proposed as a second cardinal value, beside the goal of human autonomy. It shall be seen as a premmise both for the lifestance and for the view of governance.

Premise 9 establishes global sustainability as a second cardinal value, and states that it is an overarching goal for mankind that it shall nurture and preserve all the unique properties of the planet Earth, for the benefit of all its inhabitants, both now and in the future.

The extreme importance of this goal is well known in our time, but it is essentially a new phenomenon, and it is understandable that previous philosophers have not considered it. This applies not only to classical thinkers like Aristotle, but also to the philosophers of the latest centuries. At present, however, this goal has obtained a significance that will require reflection and renewal even in the realm of philosophy.

The expression paraliberal lifestance shall be taken to mean an approach to fundamental issues in life that includes what is said in premises 1 through 9.