Rationale is published by the Rationalist Society of Australia. We’re the oldest freethought group in Australia, promoting reason and evidence-based public policies since 1906.

Members and supporters hold that all significant beliefs and actions should be based on reason and evidence; that the natural world is the only world there is; and that answers to the key questions of human existence are to be found only in that natural world.

What do we believe?

We believe in human dignity and respect in our treatment of one another.

We support social co-operation within communities and political co-operation among nations.

We think human endeavour should focus on making life better for all of us, with due regard to our fellow sentient creatures and the natural environment.

We believe humankind must take responsibility for its own destiny.

We believe morality is the natural product of human evolution, not dictated by some external agency or recorded in some written document. Humans live in social groups. This is why all societies, despite differences of culture or religion, share many basic moral tenets and social taboos.

But morality is neither static nor absolute. As history shows, our ideas about right and wrong evolve as we learn more about ourselves, the creatures with whom we share this planet and our environment. Our beliefs about what is right and wrong, therefore, should be subjected to periodic reflection and review, using science, reason and due regard for human dignity.

We believe that the scientific method is the most effective means by which humans develop knowledge and understanding of the physical universe. And we believe human progress and well-being is best achieved by the careful and consistent use of science and evidence-based reasoning.

If you agree, please join us!