Welcome. In conjunction with the Center for Naturalism, the Applied Naturalism Group will explore the personal and social implications of naturalism, with special emphasis on the concrete realization of naturalism in communities, social policy, and individual lives. This group seeks to apply naturalism - the insight that we are, in all our aspects, fully included in the natural world - to a range of concerns, including personal growth, criminal justice, social and economic equality, public education, and environmental ethics. It also seeks to create local communities (in addition to virtual communities) of like-minded naturalists who can come together to discuss naturalism, design and promote policy consistent with naturalism, and simply enjoy each other's company. For background, current projects and initiatives, see www.Naturalism.Org and www.centerfornaturalism.org

This group exists not to discuss the philosophical justifications for naturalism, which are taken for granted here. (See the Naturalism Philosophy Forum at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naturalismphilosophyforum/ for such discussion.) Members of the Applied Naturalism Group should be familiar with and more or less accept the naturalistic view of ourselves. They should also be interested in applying that view toward the goal of creating a more compassionate, less punitive culture and more meaningful, close-knit relationships to each other and our environment.

To learn about naturalism and its implications, please visit www.naturalism.org, especially the pages http://www.naturalism.org/descriptions.htm, http://www.naturalism.org/tenetsof.htm, http://www.naturalism.org/conseque.htm, and http://www.naturalism.org/resource.htm#Encounter. If you would like further information about the philosophical basis for naturalism, please contact the moderator Tom Clark directly at twc@naturalism.org.