Could “The Wonder Equation” help us to be more ethical? A personal reflection

This is a personal reflection on what I have learnt as an academic, researching, teaching and participating in the public square Bioethics for over four decades. describe helix metaphor understanding evolution of values current “culture wars” between “progressive” “conservative” adherents, uncertainty people’s “mixed packages” engender, disagreement prioritizing individual rights “common good”. propose, way forward, that collective experiences “amazement, wonder awe” power to enrich our lives, help us find meaning sometimes bridge secular/religious divide experience shared moral universe. They can change worldview, decisions regarding ethics, whether we live lives mainly just – “me” or also member larger community “We”. summarize equation “The Wonder Equation” necessary reduce resolve some hostile conflicts order facilitate such transition. It will require revisiting reaffirming traditional still need both individuals societies accommodating them with certain contemporary “progressive„ values.