Reason seeks the truth
REASON USES LOGIC TO SEEK TRUTH
Premise # 1 There is a boat =True
Premise # 2 Sunrise =True
Premise # 3 Boat rests in the water =True
Premise # 4 Beautiful colorful =True
Conclusion: A beautiful picture of a boat resting in the water at sunrise is True
MINDFUL REASONING
Positive reason
Mindfulness: practices can help reduce pain, addiction, fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression while improving physical health. A summary of 400 studies identified mindfulness as an effective mental health practice for improving physical and psychological well-being in almost everyone. Mindfulness practices also aided in emotional regulation while Neuroimaging studies indicated that mindfulness training changes the brain regions that are activated and deactivated in response to emotional stimuli.
History:
Initially the practice of meditation aimed at achieving a state of heightened awareness and presence.
In Buddhism, the concept of “sati,” which translates to mindfulness, is considered the first step toward enlightenment. This practice involves maintaining attention and awareness in the present moment. Similarly, in Hinduism, mindfulness is integrated into various meditation practices aimed at self-realization and spiritual growth.
Reason:
There is cause and effect (A causes B or A becomes B) so that reason explains how or why A becomes B. For example, If I threw a ball and it dropped to the earth, reason would explain my motivation for throwing the ball, and gravity is why and how the ball dropped to the earth. For the purpose of this website, we can state that democracy is for the people so that positive reasoning is in the best interest of people where citizens have a share of power in decision-making, (one person, one vote). Considering that if human life matters, then positive reasoning that is for the benefit of people should include the earth, wildlife, and its people because the people are dependent on a healthy earth. We will call that, a geocracy that emphasizes stewardship of our planet, which involves making choices that align with the well-being of wildlife, biodiversity, and the earth or positive outcomes for people, wildlife, and the earth. To fully understand positive reasoning requires acknowledging the negative aspects of reasoning. Negative reasoning complements positive reasoning by highlighting contrasts. It is helpful to understand the negative or negative emotions (negative reasoning) to appreciate the positive. Many non-natural problems are traced back to relationships. A causing B often hinges on their dynamic relationship to each other, whether it’s human interactions (misunderstandings, conflicts, etc.) or environmental impact (pollution, resource depletion, etc). Relationships matter. To fully appreciate positive experiences, we must recognize the contrast with negatives. Reading about negative reasoning helps us grasp those differences.
To move forward in a positive direction (positive path or journey), it is important to have that positive intention with a better understanding of what not to do that's covered under Negative reasoning. Positive reasoning must start out with an awareness that there can be problems in our relationships caused by;
- Ignorance: This arises from lack of knowledge or awareness. When we don’t understand something, we’re often ignorant about it. Ignorance isn’t necessarily intentional; it’s a gap in understanding.
- Misunderstanding: This occurs when we misinterpret information or fail to seek clarity or truth. It’s like looking at a puzzle piece and assuming the whole picture without considering other pieces.
Positive reasoning begins with
- self-awareness. Recognizing that gaps exist—whether due to ignorance or misunderstanding—allows us to seek solutions.
- Awareness prompts us to ask questions, seek truth, and clarify. It’s the first step toward positive change.
The Role of Relationships:
- Relationships also play a part here. When we misunderstand someone, it affects our interactions. Clear communication and seeking the truth enhance relationships. The same holds true for the environment.
- Positive reasoning involves acknowledging our limitations and actively seeking understanding.
- The Positive problem-solving model can help to search for the causal root of problems while solving problems in the best interest of oneself, others and the earth..
That path and journey, in my opinion, leads to greater awareness and success toward achieving mindfulness. Mindfulness can be self-actualization or possibly a level above self-actualization. A key component of reasoning is seeking truth while seeking truth is remaining as close to the facts as possible and staying informed by valid reliable sources.
Consider:
1. Reasoning Reason was never political until it became useful as propaganda.
2. Environmental issues were not a problem until we ignored our relationship to the environment (pollution, destruction of forests, oceans, and biodiversity, population impact, depleting resources, etc)
3. Education, voting, communication, and democracy were not problems until we leaned toward bending or distorting the truth with propaganda to manipulate the outcome.
4. Inequality was not a problem until the differences we observed turned into negative emotions.
5. Reasoning cannot be emotionally motivated or biased toward politics or religion to avoid excluding or discriminating against others who are not in your ingroup or indoctrinated with your way of thinking. and to avoid negative bias.
Why Positive?
- Mindfulness, which involves focusing on the present moment without interpretation or judgment, can help you relax your mind and body and reduce stress
- It’s also been shown to improve attention, decrease job burnout, and improve sleep.
Maslow's Hierarchy
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, human needs can be classified into five categories: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. The satisfaction of each higher-level need in Maslow’s hierarchy was statistically predicted by the satisfaction of the need immediately below it in the hierarchy, as expected from Maslow’s theory A study conducted by Robert J. Taormina and Jennifer H. Gao found that the satisfaction of each higher-level need in Maslow’s hierarchy was statistically predicted by the satisfaction of the need immediately below it in the hierarchy, as expected from Maslow’s theory. According to one source, higher consciousness is a state of elevated awareness and perception that allows individuals to develop a deeper understanding of the nature of reality. However, the concept of higher consciousness is not well-defined and has been interpreted in various ways by different people. Some people believe that higher consciousness is a spiritual or mystical experience, while others view it as a state of mind that can be achieved through meditation or other practices. One of the key components of Maslow's theory is when we are in survival mode—and struggling to meet our basic needs, it becomes challenging to focus on higher-level consciousness because our primary motivation is to address these Deficiency Needs (D-Needs) (e.g., hunger, safety concerns). Consciousness takes a back seat. Growth Needs (B-Needs): Arise from the desire for personal growth. Once deficiency needs are met, we can pursue growth needs more effectively. Self-actualized individuals prioritize growth and potential over mere survival.
The Challenge
Teamwork has always been an advantage that we learned in school, coupled with a positive problem-solving approach that helps to solve problems through brainstorming the healthiest and most appropriate solutions that are in the best interest of people, wildlife, and the earth. Teamwork allows for diverse perspectives and skills to come together, leading to more comprehensive and effective solutions by focusing on the best interests of all. The challenge is to overcome negative bias or obstacles of emotional reasoning like political or religious groupthink that may stand in the way of sound unbiased reasoning. It's always best to ask, "What evidence supports this belief, and have I considered alternative perspectives?" Mindful reasoning is an unbiased practice rooted in awareness and truth, free from political or religious affiliations.
The U.N. has summed up perfectly an explanation for sustainable living that states " Three different balls must be kept in the air at once: economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. If one or two fall to the ground, the act is over. An economy might grow rapidly, for instance – but only for so long if most people remain poor and all the natural resources are used up." The 17 goals established by the U.N. in 2015 to be achieved by 2030 have not been changed and are available at this U.N. website: Sustainable Development Goals with an updated 2024 report: The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024.
Intention
Bringing Change
Your brain is wired at birth. Everything we do after that hardwires the human brain to develop habits we carry throughout our lives. Sometimes, what we think with reasoning doesn't agree with the primitive part of our brain that just wants what it wants; that is self-motivated or motivated reasoning. But we can rewire the brain to develop different habits through positive reasoning in recognition and appreciation of others and the earth so that we are motivated in the best interest of humanity and our environment. We can rewire our brains to be happier and at peace.
What do we do when our focus has been on survival and economics instead of positive and health?
Intention goes back to 500 BCE Buddhists teachings, 2nd fold of the 8thfold path, a process focused more on forebrain use of value and intelligence rather than habits and fears. The correct intention is understanding and acting in the moment on what matters most to us with an orientation that considers other people and the earth. We have sophisticated cognitive strategies of negative rationalizing and blaming others that can lead us away from the root of our concerns. Living consistently with our intentions is liberating and with fewer uncertainties and regrets. I found that keeping a daily log of my life events while rating 1-10 and writing brief notes that search for the root of happiness and unpleasantness helps me to learn, recall, and adjust myself to follow my life’s positive intentions while remaining balanced with myself, the earth and its people.
Most people react more powerfully toward negative events and less powerfully in the positive direction. This may explain why we have repeatedly resorted to military methods of managing unpleasant human endeavors while ignoring our destructive use of the environment. For example, it’s much easier to sit on the beach with a Mai Tai than it is to take action to improve the world. However, it is far better to develop appropriate, positive, healthy habits to clean up after a disaster.
Attributes of mindfulness
Mindfulness Qualities
Mindfulness Qualities
Mindfulness Qualities
- Seeking Truth: Pursuing honesty and authenticity in understanding oneself and the world.
- Self-Awareness: Continuously reflecting on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Gratitude: Regularly acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of life.
- Non-Judgment: Observing without immediately categorizing or evaluating.
- Resilience: Recovering quickly from difficulties and staying committed to goals.
- Curiosity: Maintaining a sense of wonder or awe with a desire to learn.
- Ethical Considerations: Ensuring actions and intentions align with positive, healthy values toward others and the earth.
- Compassion: Acting with kindness and consideration towards yourself, others, wildlife, and the earth.
- Open-Mindedness: Considering new ideas, possibilities, perspectives, and peace.
- Balance: Finding harmony between various aspects of your life to avoid burnout.
- Self-Care: Prioritizing your well-being through healthy habits and activities.
- Presence: Fully engaging in the current moment, reducing distractions and enhancing focus.
Leadership qualities
Mindfulness Qualities
Mindfulness Qualities
The following is a list of good leadership qualities ranging from innovation, problem- solving, and a growth mindset to empathy and patience. Here are some of the most important qualities of a good leader:
- Seeking Truth: Pursuing honesty and authenticity in understanding oneself and the world while staying informed.
- Accountability: A good leader takes ownership of responsibilities and positive and negative outcomes.
- Active listening: A good leader should be able to give and receive feedback from constituents and listen.
- Collaboration: A good leader should know how to find common goals and create partnerships for the most successful and mutually beneficial outcome.
- Encourage: The best interest of the people and earth at all times.
- Integrity: A good leader should be honest and transparent in their dealings.
- Self-awareness: A good leader should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and be willing to learn and grow.
- Respect: A good leader should respect their people and treat them with dignity.
- Empathy: A good leader should be able to understand and relate to the feelings of people.
- Humility: A good leader should be humble and willing to admit their mistakes.
- Vision: A good leader should have a clear vision and be able to communicate it effectively to people.
These are just a few of the many qualities that make a good leader.
History of Logic
Logic definition
Wikipedia: logic is the study of correct reasoning. It includes both formal and informal logic. Formal logic is the science of deductively valid inferences or logical truths. It studies how conclusions follow from premises due to the structure of arguments alone, independent of their topic and content. Informal logic is associated with informal fallacies, critical thinking, and argumentation theory. It examines arguments expressed in natural language, while formal logic uses formal language. When used as a countable noun, the term “logic” refers to a logical formal system that articulates a proof system. Logic is central in many fields, such as philosophy, mathematics, computer science, and linguistics. Logic studies arguments, which consist of a set of premises together with a conclusion.
History of logic and reason
The study of logic and reasoning predates the ancient Greeks. In fact, the early Buddhist texts show that the historical Buddha was familiar with certain rules of reasoning used for debating purposes and made use of these against his opponents. The first Buddhist thinker to discuss logical and epistemic issues systematically was Vasubandhu in his Vāda-vidhi (“A Method for Argumentation”). He was influenced by the Hindu work on reasoning, the Nyāya-sūtra. A mature system of Buddhist logic and epistemology was founded by the Buddhist scholar Dignāga in his magnum opus, the Pramāṇa-samuccaya.
Ancient Buddhists used logic; and it is clear that logic played an important role in Buddhist philosophy. Buddhist logicians were interested in developing a systematic approach to reasoning that could be used to establish the truth of Buddhist teachings and refute opposing views. They developed sophisticated theories of inference, perception, and language that were designed to help practitioners gain insight into the nature of reality.
Ancient Greeks were instrumental in developing the discipline of logic, which was later refined by medieval and modern philosophers . The word “logic” comes from the Greek word “logos,” which means “reason” or “discourse”.
While the study of logic and reasoning predates the ancient Greeks, it is possible that their contributions to the field were more widely known and influential in Western history. Additionally, the influence of Greek philosophy on Western thought has been well-documented, which may have contributed to the prominence of Greek logic in historical accounts .
In summary, while Buddhist logico-epistemology was a sophisticated system of logic and epistemology that predated Greek logic, it was not as widely known or influential in Western history. The influnce of Greek philosophy on Western thought has been well-documented, which may have contributed to the prominence of Greek logic in historical accounts.
Today:
- Philosophy: Philosophers use logic to analyze arguments and determine whether they are valid or invalid. For example, if someone argues that “All men are mortal, Socrates is a man, therefore Socrates is mortal,” a philosopher would use logic to determine whether the argument is valid or not. Example:
- Premise 1: All people are mortal.
- Premise 2: Socrates is a person.
- Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
- Mathematics: Mathematicians use logic to prove theorems and solve problems. For example, if a mathematician wants to prove that all prime numbers are odd, they would use logical reasoning to construct proof. ( 2 + 2 = 4.)
- Computer Science: Computer scientists use logic to design algorithms and write computer programs. For example, if a computer scientist wants to write a program that sorts a list of numbers in ascending order, they would use logical reasoning to design an algorithm that accomplishes this task.
Logic gates used in computer science. Here are the symbols:
- AND gate: ∧ or · or &, OR gate: ∨ or + or ∥, NOT gate: ¬ or ˜ or! etc.
- Law: Lawyers use logic to construct arguments and make cases in court. For example, if a lawyer wants to argue that their client is innocent of a crime, they would use logical reasoning to construct an argument that supports their case.
- Premise 1: It is illegal to drive a car while under the influence of alcohol.
- Premise 2: John was driving a car while under the influence of alcohol.
- Conclusion: Therefore, John broke the law.
- Linguistic logic is the study of how language can be used to create logical syllogisms, a three part logic argument with two assumed propositions, each of which shares a term with the conclusion. In the order of "grammar, logic, and rhetoric," a person would study grammar in order to use a language at the elementary level, then study logic to group sentences with correct grammar into logical syllogisms.
- Premise 1: All mammals are animals.
- Premise 2: All elephants are mammals.
- Conclusion: Therefore, all elephants are animals.
Religion, Darwinism, and genetics
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution introduced the idea that organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This concept, often summarized as “survival of the fittest,” suggested a natural (hierarchical) selection favoring traits that enhance an individual’s chances of survival and reproduction.
The Hindu Caste System
The Hindu caste system is one of the world’s oldest surviving forms of social stratification. It divides Hindus into rigid hierarchical groups based on karma (work) and dharma (duty). This system has persisted for over 3,000 years, despite being outlawed in 1950.
The four main castes are:
Jainism: Non-Violence and Ethical Principles
Jainism, a religion of compassion and non-violence, emphasizes individual ethics and transformation. Key principles include:
Anekantavada (Non-Absolutism): Acknowledging multiple perspectives and avoiding dogmatism.
Aparigraha (Non-Attachment): Detachment from material possessions.
Jainism originated around the 6th century BCE and has ancient roots. Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara, shaped its religious tenets. Jain practices contribute to positive psychology, well-being, and peace education.
In summary, while Darwin’s concept relates to biological adaptation, the Hindu caste system reflects social hierarchy, and Jainism emphasizes non-violence and ethical living. Each offers unique insights into human existence and behavior.
A good video to watch is "The Great Debators"
critical thinking
Critical thinking
Critical thinking Wikipedia: is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in an objective and rational way. Britannica: educational theory, mode of cognition using deliberative reasoning and impartial scrutiny of information to arrive at a possible solution to a problem.
- break down a problem into its constituent parts to reveal its underlying logic and assumptions
- recognize and account for one’s own biases in judgment and experience
- collect and assess relevant evidence from either personal observations and experimentation or by gathering external information
- adjust and reevaluate one’s own thinking in response to what one has learned
- form a reasoned assessment in order to propose a solution to a problem or a more accurate understanding of the topic at hand.
- Example:
- Imagine you’re researching recent innovations in diabetes treatments. You find a study with impressive results for an at-home treatment. However, further analysis reveals that the study was funded by the pharmaceutical company that created the treatment. Skepticism leads you to seek more independent research.
Remember, critical thinking is essential for informed decision-making and understanding complex issues. To think critically, you must be aware of your own biases and assumptions when encountering information, and apply consistent standards when evaluating sources. Jones, Dougherty described critical thinking as "reasoning in an open-ended manner and with an unlimited number of solutions". "excessive conformity can hinder personal growth, critical thinking, and creativity, leading to negative outcomes at both individual and societal levels."
Person responsibility/Blame
A person, confident in their own personal responsibility finds less reason to blame others while intending to seek solutions to improve life for all of the earth's inhabitants.
Learning from critical reasoning
Dwyer points to 12 critical thinking dispositions of which he reports the most influential are: inquisitiveness, open-mindedness and self-efficacy.
1. Inquisitiveness: Curiosity and a desire to fully understand problems, even when the complete answer isn’t known yet.
2. Open-mindedness: Being flexible in thinking, considering divergent views without bias, and being receptive to feedback.
3. Self-efficacy: Trusting one’s reasoned judgments, being confident, and recognizing the importance of good reasoning.
4. Attentiveness: Focusing, being aware of context, and seeing the bigger picture.
5. Intrinsic goal orientation: Being positive, competitive, and motivated by internal drive rather than external rewards.
6. Perseverance: Resilience in complex tasks, staying motivated, and desiring progress. Gandhi took time to meditate to seek solutions to long-standing problems.
7. Organization: Systematic and diligent focus on tasks, considering the overall situation.
8. Truth-seeking: Desiring knowledge, challenging beliefs, and pursuing truth objectively.
9. Creativity: Visualizing ideas and thinking differently.
10. Skepticism: The inclination to challenge ideas, withhold judgment until sufficient evidence is considered, and view findings from multiple perspectives.
11. Reflection: The tendency to introspect on behavior, attitudes, and opinions. It involves recognizing what is known, distinguishing uncertainty, and making judgments based on analysis, feasibility, and evidence.
12. Resourcefulness: Willingness to use internal and external resources to solve problems, adapt, and improve. It includes seeking new approaches and learning from mistakes.
A 2002 study by Japanese researcher Kazuhiko Sakamoto The study concluded that teaching critical thinking skills can enhance awareness and understanding of gender issues, and foster willingness and ability to take action for gender equality, also that critical thinking skills can be applied to other social issues, such as human rights, environmental protection, and social justice. Critical thinking can help people to question and challenge the norms and assumptions that may limit their potential or harm to others. Critical thinking can also help people to make informed and rational decisions, and to communicate and collaborate effectively with others. Effects of critical thinking instruction on the social attitude of Japanese high school students. When students are asked to perform critical analysis, evaluation, and inference, they may find themselves in situations where they are required to confront the values they were raised with, such as groupism, harmony, avoidance of self-expression, and confrontation. When people attempt to think critically, they employ analytical thinking, assess the issue, make logically justified inferences, and produce well-reasoned solutions. One can't expect to teach critical thinking overnight. "Cognitive biases, such as myside bias, are particularly prominent with intrinsic problems because these problems often concern deeply held beliefs that are central to our identity, such as religious and political beliefs."
Influencing Positive Relationships toward people and earth
Sunstein suggested his research influenced conformity with the enforcement public smoking bans in three California cities. He observed high compliance with such laws, suggesting that the perceived disapproval by the majority was the primary reason for conformity, rather than the fear of legal repercussions in public spaces. Public smoking bans were successful not through enforcement, but because they reflected a shift in societal norms against smoking in public. Another article explains that global impact by human encroachment on the environment has created many problems suggesting that environmental threats come down to "influencing human behaviour through the use of images."
Genesis
People-to-People Relationships -"Genesis"
Consider: Positive imagery can influence positive outcomes by influencing the way that we think and perceive life, thereby encouraging us to view life differently in a positive direction..
POSITIVE, PEACEFUL IMAGERY
POSITIVE Vs Negative IMAGERY
Relationships to earth
POSITIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING MODEL
Positive Problem-Solving model
1. Name the problem: (as concisely and simply as possible, consider the root).
2. Write down possibilities: (as many as you can think of related to the problem (think positive). Important: Think is it positive for people? Is it positive for the environment?
3. Makeup if … Then… statements: looking at all the possibilities above (think positive).
4. Select the best potential considerations: in sequential order.
5. Plan actions:
6. Re-evaluate success: and reprocess using the same model if not effective.
If you do not train your brain to use this model consistently on all problems, you may never appreciate its value in solving problems to save money, time, and energy. Learn to ask: Is it positive, appropriate, and healthy for people and the environment?
According to a simulation study published in Nature Communications1, intelligent brains take longer to solve difficult problems because they are more synchronized and wait for more information before making decisions. The study also found that less intelligent brains tend to “jump to conclusions” and make more errors when faced with complex tasks. In summation, quick fast answers are not always the best for complicated and difficult circumstances.
Another positive problem-solving process I found under Problem Solving and Decision Making in Groups. Better yet, read the book: Pursuing Truth: A Guide to Critical Thinking - bookdown
1. Name the problem (Root)
3. If ... then.... Statement
2. Search for Possibilities
Search for the root
2. Search for Possibilities
3. If ... then.... Statement
2. Search for Possibilities
Search for a universe of positive possibilities
3. If ... then.... Statement
3. If ... then.... Statement
4. Choose the best positive option
If___ then___ is positive possibility
4. Choose the best positive option
4. Choose the best positive option
4. Choose the best positive option
Cgoose the best positive option/s
5. Plan for success
4. Choose the best positive option
6. Evaluate success!
Plan out steps sequentially.
6. Evaluate success!
4. Choose the best positive option
6. Evaluate success!
Evaluate for success.
Organized Mindful reasoning
Organize All Groups
The diagram to the left shows healthy, positive developmental levels. When a child is born, the focus is entirely on oneself for survival needs. Then, the child begins to become aware of others in the immediate family. As the child grows, he or she acquires friends in the community. Growing still further, there is a family relationship, relationship to friends, community, nation, and earth. Many people never reach a higher level of appreciation for global connections to all other people, wildlife, and earth.
Relationships:
A. People-to-people relationships (National, group, personal)
1. Positive reasoning:
a. Motivation: (Positive, healthy, appropriate) logic
U.N. Human Rights: Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings,
regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other
status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery
and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and
2. Negative reasoning: (War, gangs, personal negative)
a. Motivation: (Emotional Reasoning: blame/fallacy) logic
B. People-to-Environment relationships (National, groups personal)
1. Positive: Reasoning
a. Motivation: (Positive, healthy, appropriate) logic
The U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Nature is a document that
was proposed by the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) in 2011,
and has been endorsed by over 1,000 organizations and individuals from
around the world. GARN (Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature) Rachel
Carson, "The Silent Spring" WHO. WWF, U.N., NASA
2. Negative: (Population, groups, personal negative)
a. Motivation: See: Emotional Reasoning/Negative bias: blame/fallacy) logic
b. Pollution, biodiversity, deforestation, climate etc.
II. Multiple Websites (POSITIVE: PROBLEM-SOLVE)
A. Positive: people to people, people to the environment:
1. Positive reasoning: (U.N, WHO, Amnesty, Human rights, etc.)
- Human Rights Campaign: The largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights organization in the United States. It works to achieve equality for LGBTQ+ people and their families through lobbying, education, and public campaigns.
- UN Human Rights Office: The main office U.N. that deals with human rights issues provides leadership and guidance on human rights standards and mechanisms, and coordinates with other UN agencies and partners.
- Some General Human Rights Sites: A list of sites compiled by the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library that covers various topics and regions related to human rights. It includes sites of Amnesty International, Human Rights USA, Human Rights Web, and more.
- 60 Best Human Rights Blogs and Websites To Follow in 2023: A ranking of human rights blogs and websites based on traffic, social media followers, and freshness. It features blogs and websites of organizations, activists, journalists, academics, and others who write about human rights issues.
B. Negative: reasoning (No listing)
1.. Inefficient use of money
2. inefficient use of time and people (duplication)
III. Multiple Environmental Groups (POSITIVE: PROBLEM-SOLVE)
A. Positive: People to people, people to the environment:
1. Positive reasoning: (WWF, MWA, GTRC. DU, MCAG, NPRC, YF, GYC, SC, etc.)
- The Nature Conservancy: A global environmental nonprofit that works to create a world where people and nature can thrive. It operates in over 70 countries and has more than 400 scientists on staff.
- World Wildlife Fund for Nature: The leading wildlife conservation organization that aims to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and build a future where humans live in harmony with nature. It works in more than 100 countries and has over 5 million supporters
- Sierra Club: The largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It promotes clean energy, climate action, environmental justice, and outdoor recreation. It has over 3.8 million members and supporters
- Greenpeace: An independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions. It focuses on issues such as climate change, deforestation, ocean protection, and nuclear disarmament. It operates in more than 55 countries and has over 3 million supporters
- Environmental Defense Fund: A nonprofit organization that combines science, economics, and law to find practical and lasting solutions to the most serious environmental problems. It works on issues such as climate change, ocean health, wildlife conservation, and sustainable agriculture with. over 2.5 million members and supporters
- The NPRC’s mission is to organize Montanans to protect their water quality, family farms and ranches, and unique quality of life. The NPRC supports a healthy, localized, and sustainable economy in farm and ranch country and in towns, and builds strong grassroots leaders, always considering the next generation 3000 memebers
B. Negative: reasoning (No Listing)
1. Inefficient use of money
2. inefficient use of time and people (duplication)
Iv. mindfulness: (one for all and all for one)
Vote for creative, mindful reasoning leaders to solve problems effectively rather than people who reason from a negative bias base.
MINDFUL Solutions
Positive reason
Awareness: To identify what needs resolution, we must first recognize our inherent negative biases. This awareness includes understanding the origins of our fear (freeze, flight, or fight) response rooted in both our personal development and the evolution of our societies and nations. These responses are part of our Negative and emotional reasoning. To reason effectively in a positive direction, we must acknowledge the historical influences on our development from those around us. This is the systemic history and influence that shaped us.
Possibilities: To liberate ourselves from our fears and systemic history, we must find a way to release these fears and welcome the positive possibilities the universe offers. This becomes our system of faith. This faith should be grounded in the understanding that change is an inherent part of life. Numerous positive options and solutions exist if we remain open to them. Additionally, recognizing possibilities involves embracing the essence of the serenity prayer: acknowledging what can be changed and what cannot, in accordance with the laws of nature.
Creative, positive problem solving: Once we are free and open to a universe of positive possibilities, we must focus our efforts on addressing problems using the best options that are likely to lead to positive outcomes for people, wildlife, and the Earth.
Reminders: It is helpful and beneficial to surround ourselves with reminders, such as images and visions, that inspire us to stay creative and maintain a positive, healthy path, as well as reward us for our positive accomplishments.
Unlimited: It is crucial to recognize that mindful solutions are not confined to human endeavors, wildlife conservation, economic strategies, corporate interests, propaganda, political issues, or media narratives. These endeavors, dedicated to positive reasoning and mindful solutions, encompass every facet of human existence. This includes our physical and emotional well-being, our reasoning and communication, and their collective impact on our relationships with the Earth and each other. Such holistic approaches need to be fully recognized, understood, and integrated into our daily lives to foster a sustainable and harmonious future
Mindful solutions: It is beneficial for every community to have a place for mindful solutions that are free from negative groupthink, politics, religion, etc., where ideas are free to flow in a positive direction. In most cities and towns, that place already exists. That is the Public Library. In our nation, that is also the Library of Congress, and internationally, the U.N.