Pillars

All P=ENTS communities are founded on the transcendental values of truth, beauty and goodness. Four pillars are used as vehicles to propagate these values: education, narrative, transparency and structure. They are interdependent and embody the practical application of P=ENTS values, nurturing a community's intellectual, emotional and ethical dimensions, and help lay the groundwork for social impact and community success.

To summarise:

Education embodies the pursuit of truth, equipping community members with knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Narrative captures the essence of beauty, fostering a sense of identity, inspiration and connection within the community.

Transparency exemplifies the value of goodness, promoting ethical conduct, trust and shared responsibility.

Structure reflects the principles of truth, beauty and goodness by providing order, stability and enabling progress.

"Education is an art the practice of which must be brought to perfection in the course of many generations."

- Immanuel Kant 

Education forms the first pillar of community building, providing the tools and knowledge necessary for personal and collective growth. Collaboration and shared learning form the foundation of a community of intellectual engagement. Despite the potential discomfort, our pursuit of truth remains unwavering. That's why the P=ENTS methodology uses education to empower individuals to make informed and evidence-based decisions, acquire new skills and contribute meaningfully to the community. 

By embracing the value of truth, education becomes a vehicle for promoting critical thinking, open dialogue and the pursuit of knowledge. Responsible decision-making and temperance are advocated, prioritising the greater good over impulsive actions. Diverse perspectives are embraced, and respectful dialogue is encouraged to uncover the truth that exists beyond mere opinions. A love of truth seeking and intellectual honesty are fostered, challenging fallacies, assumptions and prejudices. This engenders an environment where diverse perspectives are respected and intellectual curiosity is nurtured, enhancing the community's capacity for innovation and progress. 

Although the P=ENTS methodology values theoretical learning, it puts more emphasis on its practical application. Hands-on experience deepens our understanding and fosters critical thinking, enhancing the overall learning process and refining real-world problem-solving abilities. The educational resources and discussions we encourage are grounded in objective standards, resisting ideological biases. Ultimately, community members are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to make meaningful contributions to the community and the common good. 

“Those who tell the stories rule society.”

- Plato

The second pillar, narrative, encapsulates the power of storytelling, shared experiences and collective identity. Storytelling is a potent tool for communicating shared experiences, values and aspirations within a community, celebrating the beauty of tradition and heritage while fostering a deep reverence for the wisdom passed down through generations. The P=ENTS methodology harnesses these qualities, shaping the beauty of a community by providing a sense of purpose, belonging and inspiration. 

By weaving together the diverse stories and experiences of community members, a narrative can create a tapestry of beauty that celebrates individuality while sustaining unity. Personal and collective narratives play a vital role in shaping our identities. They also maintain a sense of belonging, preserve cultural heritage and ensure the continuity of traditions. This helps to showcase the collective aspirations, achievements and values that bind a community together, infusing it with a sense of legacy, shared purpose and vision. Recognising the transformative power of narratives in shaping collective memory and cultural values, symbolic devices should be embraced to visually and audibly represent the community's history, values and aspirations. Rejecting victim culture, we emphasise the virtues of personal agency and resilience, cultivating a mindset of empowerment and self-reliance.

However, narrative can be abused, which is why the P=ENTS methodology encourages the crafting of narratives that promote truth, wisdom and virtue. This is because stories have the power to shape the moral and intellectual character of individuals and ultimately impact community development. Therefore, the P=ENTS methodology encourages narratives that inspire virtuous action and nurture social cohesion, while countering narratives that undermine truth, beaty and goodness. 

"Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants"

- Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

Transparency serves as the third pillar of the P=ENTs methodology, nurturing a culture of goodness and ethical conduct within a community. It entails open and honest communication, accountability and the free flow of information. Transparency fosters trust among community members, creating an environment where individuals feel valued, respected and heard. 

By embracing the value of goodness, transparency promotes fairness, openness and responsible decision-making. Decision-making processes must be transparent, accessible and understandable to all, with a focus on fair and unbiased information sharing, avoiding manipulation or distortion and allowing truth to be found. This ensures that a community operates with integrity, maintains ethical standards and holds its leaders accountable, fostering a culture of meritocracy, shared responsibility and social cohesion. 

However, it is important to strike a balance between transparency and legal obligations, as well as the protection of security and privacy. Full transparency should also be approached with trepidation since it can encourage blame culture, resistance and disengagement. As with most things in life, moderation is key.

"Show me the incentives and I'll show you the outcome." 

-  Charlie Munger, Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway 

The fourth pillar, structure, provides the framework and organisation necessary for the smooth functioning and progress of any group of people. Building a thriving community necessitates clear and stable structures that foster meritocracy, encouraging the community to work toward the collective good. This also entails striking a balance between individual rights and wider interests while upholding the P=ENTS core values and principles. Institutions and frameworks should be established to ensure fairness, justice and equal opportunities for all. This entails establishing clear roles, responsibilities and processes that facilitate effective collaboration, decision-making and conflict resolution. 

There are three important considerations in the P=ENTs approach to structure. They are an open source mentality, which facilitates innovation, growth and accessibility. There should also be a sensible decentralisation policy in place and a focus on self-replication. All are essential to prevent a concentration of power and abuse of authority. They are also crucial for encouraging community proactivity, self-propagation and growth. T-shaped generalists, possessing a broad understanding of community-wide issues and specialised knowledge, should also be championed to increase community cohesion. 

A well-defined structure ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, goals are pursued cohesively and conflicts are resolved constructively. Recognising the complexity of finding ideal solutions, trade-offs must be navigated pragmatically, prioritising realistic outcomes. By embodying the values of truth, beauty and goodness, the fourth pillar of structure promotes fairness, stability and self-propagation within communities, enabling them to sustain themselves and thrive amidst the inevitable challenges and changes that come our way.

By embracing these pillars, and applying them thoughtfully in combination with each other, communities can cultivate environments that empower individuals, foster trust and enable collective progress, ultimately leading to vibrant, resilient and successful communities.