Think morally - rejecting the coercive adoption of Aussie values

The above rules all focus on what we can’t do, except for number 4, which imposes only modest demands. This means that we are free to do as we wish so long as we don’t break these rules.

The only other legitimate restriction on our freedom comes from new pioneering studies in the science of human well-being. Social and “brain” scientists have been doing some impressive work in mapping the commonalities that all of us share regarding the things that are conducive to our well being.

What they’ve found is that the things that matter most are a sense of participation and control, close relationships, good health and the pursuit of challenging projects. Except for the good health part, liberty is the key to others.

This takes us back about 150 years when famous British Philosopher John Stuart Mill stated: “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant.”

Mill didn’t have the benefit of the work of contemporary social scientists. But he was very close to the mark.

The upshot is that we are morally complete and virtuous individuals if we do as we wish so long as our actions do not harm others and we “kick in” to help the needy when this does not set us back much.

The government has no basis for expecting more from any of its citizens, except if it can demonstrate that it will increase observance of the four golden moral rules or advance our health.

This ethical framework provides ample opportunity for all people in the community, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, to continue to revel in their cultural practices and customs. An appeal by both major parties for non-Australians to abdicate some of their customs and values which conform to these objective moral norms is ill-founded and ultimately destructive to a harmonious and just community.

This means that multiculturalism, even of the “mushy” variety, should be celebrated not derided. Failure to do so will diminish us as a society.