Guiding Principles
Evidence-Based and Widely Accepted Principles to Guide the Project
Evidence Base
Self Determination Theory
This is a macro theory, developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan to explain behavioural motivation and personality, in part from a lens of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Within this macro theory are six mini-theories: Cognitive evaluation theory, Organismic integration theory, Causality orientations theory, Basic needs theory, Goal contents theory and Relationship motivation theory.
In the Basic needs mini-theory there are three factors that contribute to individual psychological well-being: Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness.
The PERMA Model of Well-being
Developed by Martin Seligman (Positive Psychology), this covers Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
Blue Zones Research
This research studies the world's longest-lived populations to identify lifestyle characteristics (movement, plant-based diet, stress reduction) that lead to vitality.
Doughnut Economics
Values & Ethics
Evidence Guided
Two notable benefits of being guided by evidence are an increased consensus probability of achieving desired outcomes compared to being guided by individual or group ideals.
How much expense (loss of resources, life and quality of life) goes into conflicts between ideals, ineffective social experiments and under-utilisation of sound knowledge already acquired?
Limit expense on non-evidence-based ideals and social experiments which counter current evidence. It is important to keep acquiring knowledge and respect individual and group differences to support the development and sustainability of knowledge and diversity. A point comes however where the expense outweighs the gains. An example of this may be wars fought over differences in ideals which consume lives, quality of life and resources that may better be spent directly on enhancing well-being. An example where the expense does not outweigh the gains may be in supporting and sustaining cultural diversity and religious belief that does not contribute significantly to known harm to other groups
Obsolescence
A Quote from R Buckminster Fuller describes this process well.
"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."
We have a society in which many facets are past their "use-by date" and doing more harm than good. However, this society for most (but not all) also serves us well. We have food supply, medical technology, research and development, leadership and protection.
Many are fighting the current system or parts of it that are unfair and fail to consider what is best for the majority, the marginalised and economically poor. Although this fight has some wins and occasionally affects social chance, it often triggers a pushback from the more privileged with the greatest power. It is a fight that is difficult to win.
Our principle is not to fight the current system but to grow with purpose using evidence-based methods while supporting the working parts of the current system symbiotically. In time the dysfunctional parts of the current system may be made obsolete by a model that provides greater well-being to people and the planet.
Humanism
Humanists strive to be rational and ethical in finding meaning and fulfilment in their lives. Some ways humanism may support global well-being are:
- Promotion of Human Rights: advocating for dignity, equality, and justice for all. This fosters inclusivity and helps to address social inequalities
- Emphasis on Education and Critical Thinking: Education as a means of empowerment and personal growth. Critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning promotes informed decision-making, which is crucial for addressing complex global challenges.
- Compassion and Empathy: Empathy and understanding towards others fosters a sense of interconnectedness and global solidarity that can lead to greater cooperation and collaborative efforts in addressing shared problems like poverty, climate change, and conflict.
- Secular Ethics and Morality: A framework for ethical decision-making based on reason and compassion, without relying on religious dogma can contribute to a more inclusive and tolerant global society, where diverse perspectives are respected and valued.
- Focus on Human Flourishing: Prioritizing human well-being, happiness, and fulfillment encourages policies and practices that promote mental health, physical health, and overall life satisfaction, contributing to a more resilient and thriving global community.
- Caring for the Environment: Advocating for environmental sustainability and responsible resource management, recognizing the interconnectedness of human well-being and the health of the planet.
More about Humanism at https://humanists.international/
Autonomy Beyond Convention
Self-Determination Theory identifies autonomy — the ability to act in accordance with one's authentic self — as one of three core psychological needs, alongside competence and relatedness. Many social norms serve people well. Others persist not because they support wellbeing, but because they were never seriously questioned. Where research shows a norm restricts autonomy without a corresponding wellbeing benefit, we support people's freedom to live differently — without prescribing what "differently" should look like. That's a personal, not organizational, determination.
Some examples:
- Rigid gender roles — expectations that restrict how people express themselves based on gender are linked to psychological strain when personal identity conflicts with the expected role.
- Beauty standards — narrow, media-reinforced ideals are associated with body dissatisfaction and lowered self-esteem.
- Emotional suppression — norms that discourage emotional expression (particularly along gendered lines) are linked to poorer mental health outcomes and weaker relationship quality.
- Workaholism / hustle culture — the WHO's ICD-11 recognizes burnout, closely tied to sustained overwork, as an occupational phenomenon with real health consequences.
- Perfectionism — a 2023 meta-analysis found perfectionism is a transdiagnostic process contributing to the onset and maintenance of anxiety, OCD, and depression, particularly perfectionistic concerns tied to others' expectations. Lunn, J., et al., 2023. Associations between perfectionism and symptoms of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression in young people: a meta-analysis
- Mental health stigma — stigma around seeking help is well-documented as a barrier to treatment, independent of the severity of the underlying condition.
Autonomy exercised without regard for its impact on others is not itself a wellbeing principle. Where a person's departure from a norm affects others, informed awareness and consent remain part of how we understand freedom here.