Principles and aims of the New Atlantis Foundation

Part One | °

The aims of the Foundation are based on two fundamental principles: the unity of mankind and the infinite value of the individual. Both the whole of mankind and the individual are of absolute value. Both must be accepted as ultimate ends in themselves.

Though the interests of the community and the will of the individual often conflict, neither may be subordinated to the other. No individual purpose can be accepted as valid which would violate the wholeness of mankind, nor can any view of the unity of mankind be considered valid if it infringes the uniqueness or real freedom of will of the individual.

To assert that Mankind is One does not imply that everyone is or should be the same. It means that all mankind, past, present and future, in all their variety of different races, nations, sexes, ages and characters share a common humanity and form a single diversified whole. And to attribute infinite value to the individual implies the recognition that in every human being there lies the possibility of exercising freedom of will and of attaining to the fullest self-realisation.

These two assertions depend solely on human valuation. They are not matters of fact, nor are they articles of belief which may be either true or not true. They are declarations of faith, which can be made real only by being affirmed and acted upon, and it is only on this basis that any world order or real peace in the world can be founded.

It is not enough for these two principles to be accepted by the intellect alone; they have to be experienced as living realities. Most people, particularly in the Western world, are convinced of their own personal value and of the value of the individual human life. But it is not in practice possible for the ordinary individual to feel a real relationship with the whole of humanity. It is easy to feel a bond of unity with one’s own family or with one’s friends. And there exists a sense of community between those who share some common interest, those who work together for some common purpose, and between members of the same race, nation, religion or social class. These affinities within different sections of humanity could serve as stepping stones to lead the individual towards a wider feeling of oneness with all mankind. But this unfortunately does not happen. The greatest sense of unity within a group is felt when that group is in opposition to others. A nation is never so. united as it is in war time. And the ties of race and religion are felt most strongly in the face of persecution or subjection. Races, nations, religions and classes do not work together for the sake of the world whole but rather compete with one another,