Letter No. 1
THE REPUBLIC OF REASON
To those who love Reason and Humanity:
Your devotion to Reason and Humanity makes you citizens of the Republic of Reason, wherever you are and whatever your nation. Every human being may play a part in this fellowship, and all have a duty to do so. Reason and humanity give us comrades and comfort in pursuit of universal justice, against the tyranny of ignorance and corruption.
By republic, I mean a society for the public good. The republic of reason is the alliance of those who seek to establish the public good on the basis of reality. There is a common good embracing every human being, and the republic of reason rests first on recognizing this community, which should include us all. The republic of reason begins by acknowledging our shared humanity, and the duty humanity imposes of mutual concern and respect. All human beings have value and every human being should be taken into account. The public good embraces the welfare of all people concerned in the question at hand, whatever that question may be.
By reason, I mean reliance on reality. Reason serves the public good by recognizing real human needs, real human desires, and the real human emotions that constitute our human nature. Partisans of the republic of reason apply reason to the circumstances of every society to make their communities more just, their people more free, and the public welfare more secure. Reason applied to the public good asks what people really need to make their lives better in reality, bringing their mutual and separate welfare into greater harmony, for the benefit of all.
Thus, reason and humanity are the basis of the republic of reason, but also of justice, liberty, and the general welfare of every community, as well as the great republic to which we all belong. Justice signifies the best arrangement of laws, morals, and society, taking everyone into account and disregarding no one. Liberty consists in protection by equal laws, establishing a just society for all. And the general welfare depends on this inclusion, which constitutes the only legitimate basis of law, justice, and community. The republic of reason serves to realize them all.
Every person has the capacity for reason, fellowship, and kindness. Yet we find ourselves oppressed every day by the powers of ignorance and fanaticism. As we are human, the same forces war within ourselves — and we must overcome them, to serve the public good. To join the republic of reason is to choose the party of justice, liberty, and the common good, against the party of violence, arbitrariness, and corruption. All nations, all peoples, all traditions, and all histories contain within them both tendencies. The party of reason and humanity exists in every society, as does its opposite. The good and worthy citizen will choose reason and humanity, which are the only measures of virtue and the ultimate basis of every true republic.
The whole history of the world encompasses the advance and retreat of republican principles against the forces of selfishness and coercion. The battle is never won, nor is it ever entirely lost. The best and most fulfilling life is spent in service to the public good, despite the power and persistence of ignorance and corruption.
Take comfort, friends, in the republic of reason, and the many people of every nation who act in good faith to serve the common good, through reason and humanity. Right reason is not always self-evident, or easily demonstrable, but the first step towards enlightenment is choosing to follow the light. Let us walk that way together, to greater humanity and justice.
© M.N.S. Sellers
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