In April 2024, a group met in Philadelphia to discuss the direction of our country. For all its flaws, America was founded as a "melting pot" that aligned religiously and culturally diverse populations around a shared set of beliefs about the dignity and autonomy of all people.
This unity is eroding. We are becoming polarized between collectivist views on both left and right. We came together to recommit ourselves to the unifying, founding beliefs of this country, based on the rights of individuals, bringing to them a modern understanding and articulation.
Many of us differ in fundamental convictions; some of us have secular worldviews, others have religious views. But despite those differences, we share values that allow us to cooperate for mutual benefit. These values have made America great, and have inspired millions worldwide.
We believe in the morality of political freedom as the true habitat for humanity. We also share a conviction that freedom cannot be sustained without an ethical basis. We unite to clarify, celebrate, and promote the values we share as the ethical foundation needed to counter the polarization, ethical nihilism, and authoritarianism that threaten our freedom.
We believe that adopting these values will be the source of progress for our country and others throughout the world—a vibrant, exciting, and life-affirming future.
1. Reality is the ultimate standard of true and false, including essential moral truths. Reality sets constraints on our actions and achievements, but also offers abundant possibilities for choice, achievement, and progress.
As against… Subjectivist views that deny the reality of facts or the possibility of truth.
2. By nature, we are both individuals and social beings.
As against… The view that we are all determined and have no individual choice or agency; and the tribal view of individuals as essentially defined by race, ethnicity, and sex—or any other form of collectivism.
As against… The notion that we are either atomistic loners or people defined by group identity, with unchosen obligations to others beyond respecting their rights.
3. A free society depends on citizens with agency, character, and equal dignity and rights.
As against… The mindset of entitlement and victimhood that claims the unearned and flees responsibility for one’s actions.
As against…. The view that ethics and virtues are subjective and that “anything goes.” .
As against… The view that divides identity groups into victims and oppressors, with “victims” having special rights and privileges; and the egalitarian ethos that defines justice by equality of outcome.
4. A free society is the most productive, progressive, and inclusive form of society in human history.
As against… The view that progress is destructive to human well-being; and that life is a zero-sum game, with success coming at the expense of others, promoting envy and resentment toward the successful.
As against… The view that government edict and majority vote take precedence over the rights of individuals.
As against… The view that freedom is threatening and alienating; and that people are better off seeking safety in the tribe.
In April 2024, a group met in Philadelphia to discuss the direction of our country. For all its flaws, America was founded as a "melting pot" that aligned religiously and culturally diverse populations around a shared set of beliefs about the dignity and autonomy of all people.
This unity is eroding. We are becoming polarized between collectivist views on both left and right. We came together to recommit ourselves to the unifying, founding beliefs of this country, based on the rights of individuals, bringing to them a modern understanding and articulation.
Many of us differ in fundamental convictions; some of us have secular worldviews, others have religious views. But despite those differences, we share values that allow us to cooperate for mutual benefit. These values have made America great, and have inspired millions worldwide.
We believe in the morality of political freedom as the true habitat for humanity. We also share a conviction that freedom cannot be sustained without an ethical basis. We unite to clarify, celebrate, and promote the values we share as the ethical foundation needed to counter the polarization, ethical nihilism, and authoritarianism that threaten our freedom.
We believe that adopting these values will be the source of progress for our country and others throughout the world—a vibrant, exciting, and life-affirming future.
1. Reality is the ultimate standard of true and false, including essential moral truths. Reality sets constraints on our actions and achievements, but also offers abundant possibilities for choice, achievement, and progress.
As against… Subjectivist views that deny the reality of facts or the possibility of truth.
2. By nature, we are both individuals and social beings.
As against… The view that we are all determined and have no individual choice or agency; and the tribal view of individuals as essentially defined by race, ethnicity, and sex—or any other form of collectivism.
As against… The notion that we are either atomistic loners or people defined by group identity, with unchosen obligations to others beyond respecting their rights.
3. A free society depends on citizens with agency, character, and equal dignity and rights.
As against… The mindset of entitlement and victimhood that claims the unearned and flees responsibility for one’s actions.
As against…. The view that ethics and virtues are subjective and that “anything goes.” .
As against… The view that divides identity groups into victims and oppressors, with “victims” having special rights and privileges; and the egalitarian ethos that defines justice by equality of outcome.
4. A free society is the most productive, progressive, and inclusive form of society in human history.
As against… The view that progress is destructive to human well-being; and that life is a zero-sum game, with success coming at the expense of others, promoting envy and resentment toward the successful.
As against… The view that government edict and majority vote take precedence over the rights of individuals.
As against… The view that freedom is threatening and alienating; and that people are better off seeking safety in the tribe.