Why Am I Launching Reason for Living?
Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed of living in the kind of world depicted in Star Trek—a world in which human beings have developed wonderful technologies to improve our lives, cure diseases, and explore the universe. But that's only the surface manifestation of a deeper difference between the world of Star Trek and the world we live in today. The fundamental feature of the future Star Trek depicts is not the technology, but the mindset of people in the future. The people in Star Trek are rational. They don't fight over petty differences. They don't judge others on unchosen characteristics like race or gender. They don't waste their lives working office jobs and watching TV. What do they do? They use reason to invent amazing things, create beautiful art, and find answers to life's deepest questions—in short, to live as fully as possible.
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​That, I decided as a young boy, is the world I want to live in. Unfortunately, it's a far cry from the world we do live in. I could rail in anger against that reality—complain about the irrationality and short-sightedness of our culture today—and for many years I did. But that too is irrational. When things aren't the way we'd like them to be, there are only two logical options: Accept reality and move on, or work to change it. I've chosen the latter option. I may never get to see my Star Trek future, but I can help bring it about, and that gives me purpose.​
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Reason for Living is about teaching people how they can use reason to define, pursue, and achieve a flourishing life. Building on the philosophical ideas of such thinkers as Aristotle, Epicurus, Thomas Paine, Ayn Rand, and, of course, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, the Reason for Living approach rejects the popular ideas about self-development and morality. You will not read or hear about mystical energies, faith, or the importance of sacrifice here. Reason for Living is about fact-based ideas for living your life as fully as you can, using reason to define what that means and how to achieve it. ​It's taken me a long time to define what I want this project to be and to put it together, and it's a thrill to finally be ready to make it available to you. I hope these ideas will transform your life as they have mine.
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—Thomas Walker-Werth
Founder, Reason for Living