How to Join the Metadars
So you're a determinist and you want to join the Metadars? Well, you’re probably already a Metadar. You probably already understand that differences among people are simply matters of luck. You probably already feel that excessive praise and punishment is unethical. You probably already accept that everybody is equal.
But if you want to make it official, there are three commitments that all prospective Metadars make before joining the community:
1. A 'Vow of Nonviolence'
2. A 'Vow of Acceptance of Multiple Truths'
3. A Commitment to live by an 'Ethics of Luck'
Professing these three Metadar Vows and then 'living them out' is arguably the most consequential and transformative social commitment a person can make. It only takes a minute or two to take the vows. But implementing them – building habits around them – making them a part of everyday life – this will take a lifetime of work.
Vow of Nonviolence: This vow is a corollary to the Ethics of Luck because violence has no place in an 'Ethics of Luck' world. The vow contains three statements (the three D’s: Defuse, Defend, and Deglorify):
(DEFUSE)
“I understand that violence can be averted by communicating with the hurting parties and by working to meet their needs. I therefore vow to be the communicator and the worker.”
(DEFEND)
“I understand that nobody deserves violence. I therefore vow to nonviolently defend every target of violence.”
(DEGLORIFY)
“I understand that violence begets more violence. I therefore vow to deglorify and delegitimize every act of violence so that it won’t spawn or justify further violence.”
Vow of Acceptance of Multiple Truths: In this vow we accept that there are different kinds of truths. There are the measureable, physical truths that we scientists are committed to. But there are also evolved human truths that don’t always jibe with the physical ones. There are also tribal truths, religious truths, personal truths, and countless others. Different people living in different realities have different truths. As long as these truths are nonviolent, we commit ourselves to not challenge them. Furthermore, we commit ourselves to accept that these truths have a validity beneath their surface.
'Lasagna' with its many different layers is the metaphor we commonly use to represent this. When all the layers of a lasagna are eaten together, it tastes better, it’s more nutritious, and it’s somehow more ‘whole’ than when only one layer is eaten and all the other layers are scraped off the plate.
Accepting 'multiple truths' is a core practice of the Metadars. Although it is sometimes difficult for science-minded people to accept this, accept it we must. Here then is our Vow of Acceptance:
“I understand that different people living in different realities have different truths that they hold sacred.
As long as these truths are nonviolent, I choose to respect these people by not challenging their truths and by accepting that their truths have a validity beneath the surface.”
Commitment to an 'Ethics of Luck': The Ethics of Luck is the foundation of Metadarwinism. It's the big 'question mark' that all determinists must forever grapple with: "Knowing that other people have no ultimate control over who they are, how should we treat them? How should we mete out praise or punishment to those who are simply lucky or unlucky in life? What are the limits of this praise and punishment?" To forever face these sorts of difficult questions is what we Metadars commit ourselves to in our quest to live responsible, ethical lives.
How to Contact the Metadars
The Metadars are volunteers. We are not organized to accept donations or even to answer correspondences. However there is a beautifully organized, active online community of determinists at naturalism.org which Metadars are encouraged to participate in.