Representative Guide
Representing MOR to the Public
As occasion arises, many members of MOR will be in a position of
representing the Mission of Reason. Below are some guidelines
to assist in that role.
Positive Message
Mission of Reason is very concerned to present a positive
message to the general public about how reason can be used to
improve personal and social decision-making. In order to make
this message clear, it is important to avoid criticism of other
institutions that may even be actively working against the use of
reason in society. There are always people in those organizations
that are trying to "do the right thing" who would feel personally
attacked by such criticism and see us as hostile. Since Mission of
Reason is hoping to engage in humanitarian work with many
extant social organizations, maintaining these relationships is
necessary.
Humane Interaction
There will be times when representatives of MOR will enter into
public contention with people. In order to maintain the rapport that
leaves open the possibility for reasoned dialogue, we often must
spend more effort maintaining that rapport than engaging in
dialogue. Some advice might include:
- Avoid or diffuse heated interchanges
- Stay on topic
- Emphasise the positive goals of the interaction
- Act with and acknowledge personal respect and concern
for individuals in any debate or audience
- Avoid directly criticizing individuals, and instead offer
constructive criticism of choices, actions, policies, and
social structures that are anti-rational or unnecessarily
irrational
- Avoid belittling any person for a flaw of argument. These
can instead be used as a positive teaching point to mutual
benefit and improved self-esteem
Self-Aware Directing of Discussion
Avoid becoming entrapped in speculative metaphysical debates.
Instead point out the nature of such debates when they are
introduced. Then work to move the discussion back to the
discussion of ideas that describe nature in a confirmable way.
Also, help people to move to a broader global perspective when
ideas are introduced that only have plausibility within a certain
culture's myth traditions.
Window into a Caring and Effective Community
More than any other aspect of representing the Mission of Reason
is helping people to see rational thinking people, rational thinking
families, and reason-oriented organizations as facilitating
nurturing, fulfilling, and effective community that you represent.
This allows people who see the value of lives in ideological
compliance or metaphysical speculation as a bit less necessary in
order to find value in the real world. As people represent Mission
of Reason, they act as role models for those seeking to move their
own lives and their own institutions to a way of living with greater
personal responsibility for our own decisions and for the policies
of our institutions.
Page and Icons © Mission of Reason™ all rights reserved. Mission of
Reason™ is a non-profit corporation of the state of Colorado, U.S.A.
Text and images falls under the copyright of the author when indicated.
Current version:0.1 June 2, 2005
Full Member Area
