The Underlying Framework of Purpose

The core principle is the insight that in order for any whole to prosper, all of its parts have to be healthy. The basic idea is that healthy life consists of ecologically (i.e., non-hierarchically) organized communities of participants. Healthy plant, animal or human communities are like this.

They co-operate firstly through horizontal networks of two way mutual agreements on the same level, (eg cell-to-cell, person-to-person) and also vertically across ascending levels of complexity (i.e., individual - family - local community). This ecological integration allows individuals and the community to evolve healthily; and it best ensures, in Ned's words, 'the life everlasting' (i.e., that life evolves permanently).

      The focus of individuals thus needs to become wider than their own immediate advantage, and has to be 'response-able', i.e. must include some vision of mutuality (love') within the greater whole. In turn, there is a responsibility for large groupings to consider both the well-being of their own constituent members, as well as the legitimate mutual needs of other large groupings (eg religious groups, nations, multinational companies, ethnic groups, races, etc).