Ecoblogi – A Blog by Daniel Elkama

Almost everything we do is related to politics and, above all, morality and ethics. Good politics is based on morality. Good law reflects and mirrors morality. Political decision-making must be based on science and ethics. In politics, it is important to distinguish between different values: there are absolute values (such as that killing is wrong) and subjective values (such as that a good color for a house is red). Good politics never violates absolute values. Science and philosophy usually show us what the best policy is. It is true that science can sometimes be wrong, but this is not the case with certain things, paradigms. Ideas and religions are often based on emotional arguments, valuations and beliefs. People have different ideas about right and wrong. Of course, it is also important to value subjectivity, but for example, climate or medicine are not subjective matters of opinion. They are hard facts. Climate denialism and anti-medicine endanger human health and life and the future of the entire planet.

“When we know the laws of nature and society thoroughly, we can make good new interventions.”

-Academician Erik Allardt

Science is absolute. It is true that science changes its concepts, all the way to the paradigm.

Paradigms include, for example, 1+1=2, the basis of quantum mechanics, the theory of relativity, climate change and the basic theory of evolution.

Climate change can be proven mathematically, this is called a deductive theory, and science always strives for that. These are absolutely certain truths. Science changes and iterates until it finds the absolute truth and theory, or paradigm. Then it continues with new interventions.

Science moves into new areas until it finds certain paradigms again, and then it looks for new research topics again. So science changes its understanding until it is certain of something and then continues to explore the truth in the endless sea of ​​knowledge.

That is the purest model of science when an absolutely certain mathematical formula is obtained.

To prove climate change, you really only need the basic principles of quantum physics, knowledge of geometry, and statistical and probability mathematics. To prove evolution, you need the theory of biochemistry, as well as statistical and probability mathematics. Climate change and evolution can be proven with mathematical formulas.

The deductive theory does not even need observations to support it. Einstein developed the theory of relativity without observations, mathematically. It was only later proven to be correct with observations, by Eddington.

Fact-based politics is therefore the best. Even ancient philosophers started from the idea that the goal of ethics is a good life. A good life in general. Partly this is a subjective question, what is a good life, but about many things we can say for sure that they are good or bad. As previously said, there are both subjective and objective, absolute values.

I will say briefly:
1) precise language reflects reality like mathematics
2) if precise language, with arguments, justifies something logically, it is as valid as mathematical truth
3) the word good is basically something that increases well-being
4) some things like war, illness, suffering and poverty remove well-being and are therefore the opposite of good, i.e. evil
5) health, love, happiness, joy and prosperity increase well-being and are therefore good

This is the basis of objective morality according to the philosopher G. H. Von Wright and this is the best explanation for objective morality in my opinion.

Ethics are present in everything and we have a duty to follow ethics as conscious beings capable of making choices. This is how we reduce suffering and create a happier, better world.

Daniel Elkama