Grand Council
 


The four cornerstones of The Paradigm of Transcendent Reality are Science, Philosophy, Religion, and Governance.  These are independent functionalities that are integrated and aligned in the Grand Council so they are consistent, complementary, and interactive.


The Grand Council exists by leave of the Seer to investigate matters where fact or process is suspect or in need of clarification or elaboration.  The Seer, or his designate, may call upon individuals with appropriate credentials, and/or renown in science or philosophy. 

The Seer may establish a permanent Grand Council to oversee broad areas of fact, truth, process, and propriety.  In such case, the heads of each functionality, or their designated representatives, meet to iron out policy or directives that impinge on more than one functionality, or are inconsistent between, functionalities. 

The Seer may also form temporary or special Grand Councils to address specific issues of pressing importance. 


The Grand Council is chaired by the head of the Religion functionality, or his designate.  Any policy, ruling, finding, or directive issued by the Grand Council must bear the approval of, or at least the non-dissent of, the religious functionality.  Any member of the Grand Council may bring forward an issue, or propose a solution.  Individuals and groups may petition for a ruling.  All issues of truth, fact, process, or propriety may bear on morality.  Therefore, no functionality on the Grand Council may issue a ruling save with leave of the religious functionality. 


Religion may only rule on the morality of the issue or solutions proposed (moral, immoral, amoral), and the circumstances under which such a finding occurs.  Each finding on moral status must address the impact on the collective's existence, continuance-in-kind, and prosperity.

Science may only rule on the veracity of the situation under consideration, without regard to personal feelings, human agendas, or morality.

Philosophy may only rule on the suitability of prediction allegories, alternative solutions, and the accuracy implications on possible outcomes.

Governance may only address the ease or difficulty of implementing proposed alternatives.  And it may develop impact analysis on the institutions of governance, such as benefit-cost ratios, social upheaval, timing of proposed changes, and so forth.  Such impact analysis is subject to review by the other functionalities only to the extent that such analysis does not sufficiently meet a necessary criteria under their respective functionalities.

The purpose of the functionalities of Religion, Science, and Philosophy residing above the functionality of Governance is to enforce morality, veracity, and accuracy on the institutions of governance.  These three superior functionalities do not answer to the functionality of governance. 

The head of each of those three superior functionalities may reach down into any level of the institutions of governance and suspend any official, procedure, action or activity that violates a dictum, policy, finding, or ruling of the functionality, or the Grand Council.  However, correcting the issue so suspended shall be the sole responsibility of governance.  

Presumptive Ascension Ladders to the Grand Council

The Seer, or his designate to the Grand Council, shall normally engage top experts and learned academics in appropriate fields to examine issues brought before the Grand Council, as suggested by the ascension ladders depicted to the right.

The formal members of the Grand Council may engage experts and persons of extensive experience to research, testify, or advise the council in particular matters.