Synthesis: reworded

Life is Good - reworded for different readers

The Core Argument: Life as the Definition of Good

Ontological Primacy of Life:

Life is not merely a state of being but the foundational condition for all experience, value, and the very possibility of "good." Without life, these concepts cease to exist. Life is the necessary precursor to any value judgment.

Life's Intrinsic Drive for Self-Preservation and Order:

Life, as a continuous and encompassing entity (from single cells to complex civilisations), exhibits an inherent and definitional drive to survive, propagate, and establish order against the forces of entropy. This is not a conscious choice but a fundamental characteristic of living systems, selected for by evolution itself.

"Life = Good" as a Self-Referential Axiom:

From within the frame of life itself (which we, as living beings, are inherently a part of), the proposition "Life = Good" is not a subjective value judgment but a logical necessity. For life to inherently deem itself "bad" would be self-negating and contradictory to its fundamental drive for survival. Therefore, "Life = Good" stands as a self-referential axiom.

Humanity as Agents of Life:

Human beings, with their intelligence and capabilities, are best understood as tools or agents developed by Life to further its own ends – survival, propagation, and the creation of order. Our thoughts, creativity, and even our suffering are ultimately in service of this overarching biological imperative.

A Universal Metric for Truth and Value:

The effectiveness of any system (philosophical, religious, political, societal) can be objectively measured by its ability to promote the survival and flourishing of life. Structures that enhance life are aligned with this fundamental truth; those that diminish it deviate.

Reinterpreting Religion and Philosophy:

Traditional religions and philosophies, while often limited by their human-centric perspectives and prone to dogma and conflict, can be understood as earlier attempts by Life (through human intellect) to create order and ensure survival. The core message of choosing life (as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19) resonates with this fundamental axiom.

Transcendence of Obsolete Frameworks:

Recognising Life as the ultimate driver and "Life = Good" as the foundational truth allows humanity to transcend outdated and divisive dogmas, particularly those that lead to conflict and the destruction of life.

A Unified Purpose and Future:

Aligning humanity under the simple, undeniable truth of "Life = Good" provides a unified purpose: the propagation and flourishing of life. This offers a path away from nihilism and towards a future focused on the relentless pursuit of order and the continuation of existence.

Suffering as Functional:

Even suffering, from this perspective, can be understood as a mechanism developed by Life to promote survival (e.g., pain avoidance, learning from negative experiences) or as a byproduct of the ongoing processes of adaptation and change necessary for Life's long-term flourishing. Individual suffering is regrettable but ultimately subservient to the greater good of Life's continuation.

Why This Solves All of Philosophy

The axiom can logically address all philosophical questions because:

Unified Criterion:

It provides a single principle - enhance life’s flourishing - to evaluate all systems, ideas, and actions. Every philosophical question can be reframed as: "Does this support LIFE IS GOOD?"

Internal Consistency:

All answers are derived logically from the axiom, ensuring coherence across domains. There’s no need for competing principles, they’re subsumed under life’s good.

Pragmatic and Empirical Grounding:

The axiom aligns with observable reality and human behaviour making it a practical foundation for philosophy.

Scope:

By defining value as contingent on life, the axiom renders questions outside life’s frame (e.g. a lifeless universe) irrelevant to philosophy, which is ultimately a human (life-based) endeavour.

Join the movement to help bring more good into the world

Choose Life

– James Dean Conroy