VALUES IN COMMON

1. Individual Responsibility:

   • Neoliberalism: Neoliberalism emphasizes individual responsibility, placing the onus on individuals to succeed within the marketplace. It frames individuals as rational actors who should be free to pursue their self-interest.

   • Opthē: While Opthē emphasizes agape (selfless love) and service to life, it also recognizes personal responsibility as being disciplined and thoughtful in one's actions. Opthē encourages individuals to live consciously and contribute positively to life and the Earth. However, this is not tied to any form of merit; instead, it is about living by one’s values, with the understanding that those who struggle to do so are offered support and help rather than judgment or criticism.

2. Emphasis on Innovation and Progress:

   • Neoliberalism: Neoliberalism celebrates innovation and technological progress, driven by competition in free markets, which it views as the engine of economic growth.

   • Opthē: Opthē also values progress and innovation from a moral and ecological perspective. It supports creative, critical thinking and the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of all life. Progress in Opthē is not about market competition but about fostering a deeper understanding of how humans can live in harmony with each other and the Earth.
     

KEY CONFLICTS

1. View of the Role of Markets vs. Community:

   • Neoliberalism: The central tenet of neoliberalism is the supremacy of markets in organizing society. It places immense faith in free markets to allocate resources efficiently and create wealth. The state is seen as a facilitator of market conditions rather than a central provider of goods and services. The individual is prioritized, and competition is viewed as human relations' natural and efficient state.

   • Opthē: In stark contrast, Opthē places communal values above market values. It advocates for cooperation, collaboration, and service rather than competition. While neoliberalism prioritizes market outcomes, Opthē focuses on ethical and communal outcomes—living in service to life and the Earth, with agape as the guiding principle. Market competition, if unchecked, often leads to exploitation and harm, which would be antithetical to Opthē's core principles of nonviolence, trust, fairness, and altruism. Furthermore, Opthē envisions a society where wealth is distributed to ensure everyone has enough to live comfortably and responsibly within the limits of available resources.

2. Human Flourishing:

   • Neoliberalism: Neoliberalism often defines human flourishing in terms of economic success. Individuals and societies thrive when markets are efficient and wealth is generated. The success of individuals and corporations is seen as beneficial for society through the idea of "trickle-down" effects.

   • Opthē: Human flourishing in Opthē is not tied to economic growth but to ethical growth, service to others, and cultivating a deep connection to life. Opthē's vision of flourishing is relational and ecological, emphasizing well-being, balance, and nurturing all life forms rather than wealth or material success. The well-being of every individual is seen as a collective moral obligation, with the community working together to ensure that no one lives in poverty or need.

3. View of Nature:

   • Neoliberalism: In neoliberalism, nature is often viewed as a resource to be exploited for economic gain. The environment must be managed or controlled, and natural resources are commodified. Environmental degradation is frequently justified by its financial benefits, with regulation seen as a hindrance to business and growth.

   • Opthē: The Opthēan worldview centers on the intrinsic value of life and the Earth. Nature is not a commodity to be exploited but something to be respected, protected, and nurtured. Opthē’s commitment to agape and service to life fundamentally opposes neoliberalism’s commodification of the natural world. The goal of Opthē is not economic growth but the well-being of all life forms, recognizing the interdependence of humans with their environment.

4. Economic Inequality:

   • Neoliberalism: While neoliberalism doesn’t inherently advocate for inequality, its emphasis on markets and individual responsibility often leads to significant disparities in wealth and power. Neoliberal policies have been associated with the erosion of labor rights, weakening social safety nets, and widening income gaps, justified by the belief that market-driven outcomes are inherently fair.

   • Opthē: Economic inequality, particularly when it leads to exploitation or harm, would be a significant problem within Opthēan ethics. Opthē’s values of agape and fairness call for creating structures that promote equity, cooperation, and the well-being of all. Opthē would seek to mitigate inequality, focusing on prosocial behaviors, compassion, and altruism, rejecting systems that promote exploitation or unjust disparities. Additionally, Opthē envisions a wealth distribution system where those with the most resources bear the heaviest burden in ensuring that no one is left in poverty or need, aligning with the principle that everyone should live comfortably and responsibly within the limits of available resources.

5. Relationship Between Humans and Society:

   • Neoliberalism: Neoliberalism emphasizes the individual over the collective. It prioritizes the individual's success based on their ability to navigate and succeed in the market. Society is often seen as a collection of individuals competing for resources, with minimal emphasis on collective well-being.

   • Opthē: In contrast, Opthē deeply values the communal aspect of life. It emphasizes that individuals are not isolated entities but deeply interconnected with others and the Earth. The Opthēan focus is on cooperation, mutual aid, and collective responsibility to nurture and support life in all its forms. Success is measured not by individual achievement but by the flourishing of the whole community, with a solid commitment to ensuring that everyone has their needs met and can live without poverty or need.