Why choose human heartedness

There are many reasons to choose the human hearted way. We are planning a bigger page explaining these. For now though - here are some key reasons:

Best path to happiness and fulfilment:

The available evidence shows strongly that building positive relations with others is the number one path to happiness. For instance the Harvard Longevity project has followed the lives of hundreds of people for more than eighty years, from their early childhood onwards. This study demonstrated that by far the most reliable  indicator of happiness and a fulfilled life was that people had good relationships in life. 

Evidence based:

Human heartedness is based on the evidence that we have evolved as social beings. Evidence that the reward centers in our brain produce chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine when we feel we are in a positive relationship with someone else. Evidence through scientific studies of human life paths. such as the Harvard Longevity project mentioned above.

Not Zero Sum:

If the question is what is the best approach for society as a whole - Then human heartedness offers an answer that everyone can follow. If the answer is being number one or accumulating the most wealth - then - obviously; only some people can succeed, and everyone else must miss out. But building socially positive social relationships and supporting the best in other people is an approach which everyone can follow, and doing so helps others along with us rather than turning them into competitors.

An answer to the age old question of meaning:

We have always sought meaning in the face of our mortality and limited ability to control our environment. Religions, ideologies, the promises of charismatic leaders, and so on have all failed to offer a true and perfect path to meaning. Human heartedness offers a different approach - one that accepts our imperfections, and says we still have within us the ability to create a socially positive meaning in our lives. The human hearted way is not a perfect way - but it is the best way.

The competing alternatives are worse

Following the human hearted way does not guarantee a perfect outcome - just a better one. So why not prefer a perfect result, as, for instance, promised by religion. There’s two problems with that claim. Firstly there is no empirical evidence to back religion. Secondly, religion has too often been used to justify intolerance, persecution, and even killing. This is due to it elevating an imagined entity, usually a God, above our shared humanity and thereby legitimising the persecution of those who whether in fact or imagination threaten the interest of that entity.

An answer to the crisis of our time

The modern world of markets and competitive individualism has made societies wealthier. But it has left many people feeling alienated, insecure, and alone. The market by itself cannot provide fulfilment. The answer is not to turn to religion, nationalism or other ideologies. It is to live a more human hearted life.