The 6 Big Ideas Behind Human Respect

Would it be okay to take $10,000 from your neighbor without permission? No. That’s called stealing.

What if there were a natural law—that works like gravity—that explains why stealing is wrong?

The Philosophy of Human Respect introduces six key concepts that explain how coercion, theft, and violence always reduce happiness, harmony, and prosperity. Here’s a quick overview:

1. Life’s Primary Mission

No matter what we call it, we all seek happiness. But unexpected harm—like force or fraud—always reduces our well-being.

2. A Universal Principle

There’s a consistent, observable cause-and-effect law at work: coercion always lowers happiness, harmony, and prosperity. Always. That’s the Natural Principle of Human Respect.

3. The Acid Test

There are only three ways to solve problems: sharing, persuading, or forcing others. So here’s the test: What kind of problem-solver are you if no one is forced to do it your way?

4. Making It Personal

When you apply that test in your everyday life, you’ve personalized the Principle—and that choice transforms your family, community, and workplace.

5. No Loopholes

You wouldn’t steal from your neighbor directly—so should you be okay asking a politician to do it for you? Your representatives are just neighbors with delegated agency.

6. The Role of the State

Sociologist Max Weber called the State the institution with a monopoly on force. Statism relies on coercion—but the Natural Principle shows why that path always harms.

Now that you know the six core ideas, take the next step: