Can we navigate humanity's transition with Natural Law?

In previous meetups, we've discussed various aspects related to how we can avoid or mitigate the effects of whatever it is that may happen as a result of humanity's transition: sustainable development that shows the need for inner development; the energy transition and its negative implications; how politics could evolve; we've even considered the brain hemispheres.

This week, at the suggestion of Gustavo (who will lead the discussions), we're going to look at another potential mediator: Natural Law and its consequence, Natural Rights. Rooted in the belief that certain rights and values are intrinsic to human nature and universally recognizable, natural law offers a common ground upon which civilizations could converge to address global problems.

To better illustrate this point, consider Sophocles' play, "Antigone." This ancient Greek tragedy tells the tale of two brothers who, having fought on opposite sides of a war, both meet their end. While one receives a proper funeral, the other is denied this honor due to the city's decree branding him a traitor. Antigone, in her fervent quest to have her brother laid to rest, presents a compelling argument for the existence of moral laws that stand superior to the laws of men. Through her plea, the play delves deep into the core of the natural law philosophy, challenging the line between societal constructs and inherent moral truths.

Here are some key points about natural law generated by Perplexity.ai:

• Natural law is derived from a close observation of human nature and values intrinsic to human beings.
• It is considered to be antecedent and independent of positive, man-made law.
• Natural law is often associated with concepts of justice, morality, and human rights.
• It forms the foundation for legal traditions and is seen as a higher law that protects individual rights.
• Natural law is not limited to legal or political theories but can also encompass theories of ethics and religious morality.
• It is believed to be objectively derived from the nature of human beings and the world.
• Natural law theories can have different interpretations and formulations, but they generally agree on the existence of inherent moral values.

To encapsulate, natural law is a philosophical concept that suggests the presence of universal moral standards inherent in human nature and sourced from nature itself.
Questions related to this include, but are not limited to:

• Are there universally accepted tenets of natural law that all civilizations can agree upon - in principle at least - despite diverse cultural, religious, and philosophical backgrounds?
• If there are such tenets, how might agreement on them be reached in practice?
• How do different worldviews interpret natural law, and are there common threads that can bridge these interpretations?
• Are there historical instances where societies have relied upon natural law to navigate significant transitions or challenges?
• How might natural law influence global policy-making, especially in areas like climate change, artificial intelligence, and bioethics?
• In times of global crisis or moral dilemmas, can natural law provide a stable foundation for decision-making across nations?
• How do technological advancements, especially in AI and biotechnology, challenge or reinforce our understanding of natural law?
• Can natural law play a role in mediating the "clash of civilizations" and fostering mutual understanding in our interconnected world?

Helpful resources on Natural Law
Reading resources: See ST-Natural Law

Video material by a leading scholar - Professor John Finnis
* 5 minutes on natural Law in a modern context: https://youtu.be/fnpnKQE_1G0
* 4 minutes on how the natural law tradition handles the diversity of moral practices and moral disagreement? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpxVnD_ahQY&list=PLbzuP5ckhoLa8hKGbiKmS-9nfJS3bgeF8&index=15&pp=iAQB
* A one hour discussion: https://youtu.be/dwbnmLfgYrY
* 13 minutes on natural law in modern jurisprudence https://youtu.be/3n2hCV641Mw
Two books by professor John Finnis:

• Natural Law and Natural Rights
• Fundamentals of Ethics

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Background to Humanity’s Transition
A helpful 30 minute video which others have found worthwhile
"Humanity's Phase Shift, Daniel Schmachtenberger"
Keywords
humanity, natural law, natural rights, human rights, morality & ethics, politics, philosophy, spiritual growth, ecological economics, the commons, religion, consciousness, inequality, education