Item 4 in Truth By Reason Master Ethical Code

Extend Compassion Beyond Oneself

Take the suffering and wellbeing of strangers, outsiders, opponents and other sentient beings seriously.

Position
4
Form
Mixed formulation
Obligation
Context-dependent
Wording status
Translation
Intended audience
Everyone
Last reviewed
28 June 2026

Names and terminology

Canonical name: Extend Compassion Beyond Oneself

Source wording

<p>Take the suffering and wellbeing of strangers, outsiders, opponents and other sentient beings seriously.</p>

Translation

Literal meaning

Take the suffering and wellbeing of strangers, outsiders, opponents and other sentient beings seriously.

Broader interpretation

Compassion should guide action while remaining informed by evidence, boundaries and justice.

Practical meaning

Take the suffering and wellbeing of strangers, outsiders, opponents and other sentient beings seriously.

Ethical purpose

Compassion should guide action while remaining informed by evidence, boundaries and justice.

Modern application

Apply this principle to personal conduct, organisations and public policy, with particular attention to people and beings who carry the greatest risks while holding the least power.

Criticism and difficult cases

This principle may conflict with other duties. It should therefore be applied with evidence, proportionality, role reversal, attention to power and review of foreseeable consequences.

Truth By Reason analysis

Compassion should guide action while remaining informed by evidence, boundaries and justice.

Sources