© 2014 Jean-Armand Hourtal
© 2014 French-speaking Association of Readers of the Urantia Book
There is no infallible and “turnkey” system for succeeding in your projects. To compensate for this deficiency, here are some principles presented in the form of a cooking recipe for succeeding in your projects (in general) and your life project (in particular).
“Faith is the firm conviction of what one hopes for, the demonstration of things not yet seen.” It is almost impossible to begin a project without a certain dose of hope. Let us clarify that this is in no way a blind faith, quite the contrary. There is a form of secular belief which consists of considering a project valid if it is reasonably possible and achievable in a given time. Faith in a transcendence or a spirituality can be helpful, of course, but, in this area, the object of faith is secondary. The essential thing consists in setting in motion the energies essential to “start” the project. The meaning of this project will rest on its ethical aspect…
We believe that “it is necessary to hope in order to undertake and to succeed in order to persevere. Hope against all hope” is the expression of a form of faith, and “the energy of despair” is nothing other than the energy of hope taken to the highest degree. That is to say, the energy of the “will to live”.
Believing in your project is therefore the first ingredient in the recipe that can lead us to success. Conviction is like salt: you don’t need to add a lot of it to feel its taste and effects.
Will reinforces conviction, because it is common to believe in a project and not want to commit to it. There are several levels to will: from organic will which seeks the means of subsistence, to heroic will through reflective will. A well-constituted will is defined as “Human will is built by the energy of a thought manifesting itself in time by an act with a view to an end.”
Everything that requires the use of energy, movement of matter and reflection has a price. In the case of a project, its success is linked to the acceptance of the price to pay. The price is sometimes calculated in money, often in energy and always in time devoted to the realization of this project. Hoping for a result without a price to pay is postulating an effect without a cause.
Ethics is based on an internal approach that questions the aim of human values in their relationships between oneself and what is other. It is constructed through reflection that confronts discourses and behaviors. Ethics is taking a risk in the direction of good and justice. Its intention is expressed in thought, word and action. Building a project on the foundations of ethics is a sign of moral perfection.
Partnership allows us to have the resources we lack, in particular to carry out a project. Partnership is a cooperative approach. It is based on an ethical and not simply utilitarian concept of human relations. It is built when several people create relationships to share a timely idea. These actors, different, complementary and free, involve their goodwill in the action in order to achieve a compatible objective using appropriate means.
“Human will is constructed by the energy of a thought manifesting itself in time by a free act with a view to an end.” Its five dimensions — thought, — time, — act, — freedom, — an end — must be present in their indicators for the will to be considered full, entire and operative.
ETHICS is a voluntary and perfectible approach. It is part of the long term according to: a right thought, a right word, a right action. It integrates the ultimate mystery of the being participating in life. It is based on an internal approach which questions the aim of human values in their relationships between oneself, others and things. It is constructed by a reflection confronting speeches and behaviors. It is a risk-taking in the direction of good and justice. Its intention is expressed in thought, word and action according to the fundamental principles of: justice, freedom, autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, universality, communication, coherence and transcendence.
The principle of justice: it includes theoretical and practical aspects in the material and intellectual domains. It consists of considering the other as we would like to be considered ourselves. To treat our neighbor according to his potential (and not through an isolated act). To be fair in the evaluation of his constraints and needs in relation to those of others.
The principle of freedom: it formally applies in personal and public domains: The recognition of the other in his right to be free (to think, to do, to evolve at his own pace…) Non-interference on the person, except in legitimate or urgent cases (respect for private life, for the past). In the granting of the means of these freedoms (as long as it belongs to us).
The principle of autonomy: it respects the will of any person who peacefully seeks the general good. In their ability to think and make voluntary choices by prioritizing their own objectives. In their power to express themselves sovereignly without fear of harmful consequences. In their capacity to take independent actions that are consistent with their own wishes.
The principle of non-maleficence: it joins the different forms of the “precautionary principle”. It is based on the desire to prevent anything that is considered a danger or violence (for oneself and others.) It ensures that what is presumed to be false, bad and a possible generator of subsequent suffering is avoided. It strives not to harm, not to destroy and not to add harm to harm unnecessarily.
The principle of beneficence: it is the duty to do good which tends towards universality, it questions what is thought, said and done: is it beneficial for the individual and society (in the short and long term)? Does what is undertaken generate, a priori, a favorable effect with appropriate means? Does the action (planned or in progress) bring more good than harm (for oneself and others)?
The principle of universality: it concerns every human being, without any restriction. Values, speeches and behaviors are applicable to each and every one. It states that any distinction based on race, religion, sex, culture, wealth, etc. is not ethical. It questions every act in its consequences: “What if everyone did the same?”
The principle of communication with others: This is appropriate communication and “good faith”. It is cooperation in truthful communication with others and all humans. It is the altruistic quality of communication with others (it aims for the general interest). This relationship is true, sincere, marked by compassion and not just utilitarian.
The principle of coherence: It concerns the relationship between the means used and the ends. It states that the end never justifies the means, on the contrary: It considers that the ends exist in germ in the means employed. Coherence seeks to transform the irreducible contradictions of life into manageable tensions.
The principle of transcendence: It gives ethics an opening of values towards the infinite and the unspeakable. It bets that the human being is not reduced to the only phenomena that he expresses. This transcendence is part of everyday life, but it goes beyond the “here and now”…
According to Jean-Armand Hourtal, Doctor of Human Sciences with a degree in medical ethics
Jean-Armand Hourtal