What Live and Let Live is #
Live and Let Live is a way of making life simpler, safer and sensible. The message is in the name: ‘Live’ means be yourself – you’re free to live your life any way you choose, so long as you ‘Let Live’, meaning you allow others that same freedom. Every action we choose has consequences. When we live in alignment with the peaceful values of kindness, honesty, tolerance, wisdom, respect and courage, we enjoy the benefits of doing so: better relationships, more respect from our communities and greater resilience to cope with life’s uncertainties. The is the Golden Rule, an ancient cross-cultural wisdom that says ‘treat others as we wish to be treated’. When we are unkind, intolerant and disrespectful, we should expect people to treat us similarly – these are mistakes we must be free to make so that we can learn from them. But serious harms, like assault or theft, must face serious consequences – such aggressors must be taken to court and punished if found guilty. The Live and Let Live Principle (’3L Principle’) is that we must not aggress against each other.
What Live and Let Live does #
Live and Let Live is a movement whose mission is to align all laws globally with this rule that we should not aggress against each other. It is also a community of people committed to this 3L Principle that embodies the golden rule. There is so much more that unites the human family than divides it. Not aggressing is the common foundational framework of how to treat each other that all reasonable people already agree with. Live and Let Live is not advocating for a radical change of the legal system or government, only that all individuals, groups, corporations and governments equally adhere to this 3L Principle of not aggressing against each other. It is a simple but urgent shift with profound consequences for our ability to survive and thrive as life on earth.
Defining ‘aggression’ #
The only technical aspect of the 3L Principle is how ‘aggression’ is defined. The following are such serious breaches that they would generally be dealt with in criminal courts:
- Initiating nonconsensual physical force against another person or their property, or even creating a substantial risk or threat of doing so;
- Engaging in fraud or coercion; or
- Denying someone’s rights to right to a fair trial (due process)
The following breaches are less serious and are generally dealt with in civil courts:
- Breaching a valid contract;
- Engaging in unreasonable conduct causing harm to another person or their property; or
- Breaching a fiduciary duty.
Within this definition are some unavoidable grey areas. What constitutes a ‘substantial’ risk and ‘unreasonable’ conduct? What is the age of consent required for a ‘valid’ contract? Because reasonable-minded people that are completely committed to the 3L Principle disagree on what the right answers are, we must allow local communities to decide on exact definitions.
Actions we’re taking #
- Live and Let Live offers a blueprint for how a free and peaceful society can function. It also explores the optimal transition for how to get from here to there. We educate people on how simple, accessible and effective the 3L Principle is, and help people live their best lives.
- Live and Let Live offers a community for sharing, collaborating, exchanging and forming quality relationships, all united by the shared goal of living in a free and peaceful society. This will include local meet ups, conferences and celebratory gatherings like festivals.
- We develop Ambassadors, those who deeply understand the 3L Principle and embody the Golden Rule, who can become local leaders, taking 3L in whichever way they choose. Many of these Ambassadors will seek to achieve 3L’s mission by changing the system and running for political office.
