The Meta-Rationalist Manifesto

Michael Zargham
3 min readMar 28, 2023

Preamble: In a world of growing complexity and interconnectedness, we, the proponents of meta-rationalism, stand united in our commitment to foster a more inclusive, nuanced, and integrative approach to understanding and navigating the challenges that define our era. Recognizing the limitations of traditional epistemologies and the need for diverse perspectives, we present this manifesto as a declaration of our shared values and aspirations.

I. Embracing Diversity of Thought: We acknowledge the inherent value of diverse perspectives and modes of thinking, transcending disciplinary boundaries to build a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of the world. We encourage intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and mutual respect, fostering a vibrant community of inquiry that draws strength from our varied backgrounds and experiences.

II. Integrating Reason and Intuition: We seek a harmonious balance between reason and intuition, embracing both the rigor of formal models and the insights gleaned from experience and reflection. Recognizing that our world is too complex for any single mode of inquiry, we strive for a synthesis of complementary approaches that illuminate the multifaceted nature of reality.

III. Embracing Temporal Plurality: We recognize the importance of considering temporal plurality in our pursuit of understanding and addressing the complex challenges of our time. Real-world systems encompass a multitude of time scales, from high-frequency to low-frequency, which we must acknowledge and account for in our analyses and interventions. By embracing the full spectrum of temporal scales, we commit to developing more robust and forward-thinking solutions that account for the dynamic and evolving nature of the world.

IV. Cultivating Adaptability and Humility: We champion adaptability and humility, acknowledging the limits of our knowledge and the inevitability of change. As we navigate the shifting landscape of our interconnected world, we commit to continuously refining our models, questioning our assumptions, and embracing new insights that challenge and expand our understanding.

V. Fostering Reflexivity and Responsiveness: We promote reflexivity and responsiveness, cultivating an awareness of the ways in which our models and actions shape the world, and vice versa. By examining the performative nature of our theories and interventions, we strive to develop more robust and context-sensitive solutions that address the dynamic and interconnected challenges we face.

VI. Bridging Theory and Practice: We endeavor to bridge the gap between theory and practice, translating our insights into actionable strategies and policies that can drive meaningful change. By grounding our meta-rationalist approach in real-world contexts and engaging with diverse stakeholders, we aim to foster innovation and impact across a wide range of domains.

VII. Encouraging Collaboration and Interdisciplinarity: We champion collaboration and interdisciplinarity, recognizing that the complex problems of our time demand a collective and multifaceted response. By forging connections between scholars, practitioners, and communities, we strive to create a vibrant ecosystem of knowledge exchange and co-creation that transcends traditional silos and barriers.

VIII. Upholding Ethical Responsibility: We affirm our ethical responsibility to act with integrity, compassion, and fairness in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding. As we navigate the ethical dimensions of our work, we are committed to engaging in critical reflection, seeking diverse perspectives, and prioritizing the well-being of individuals, communities, and the environment.

In conclusion, we, the proponents of meta-rationalism, stand united in our shared commitment to advancing a more inclusive, reflexive, adaptive, and temporally diverse approach to understanding and addressing the complex challenges of our time. Through this manifesto, we pledge to uphold these principles and values, working together to create a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all.

In the spirit of experimentation, I fed GPT4 a bunch of information about myself including technical expertise, experiences, and world-views, and I asked it to produce a Meta-Rationalist Manifesto according to its perception of what I would say. The above is what it it produced.

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Michael Zargham

Founder, Researcher, Decision Engineer, Data Scientist; PhD in systems engineering, control of networks.