New World Encyclopedia: Do Facts Need Values? Reflection on recent educational webinar for WFWP USA subscribers
Dr. Frank Kaufmann on May 27, sharing all about the impressive New World Encyclopedia project, which is bridging the divide between ethics and knowledge, goodness and intellect.
When you want to look up something, to which source do you turn? Have you ever considered if the answers you receive are good, as well as factual?
WFWP members had a truly enlightening evening last month when they spent time, via webinar, with Dr. Frank Kaufmann, editor of the online New World Encyclopedia. Dr. Kaufmann shared a fascinating and surprising history of the collection of human knowledge through encyclopedias, and members learned the necessity of presenting knowledge and facts with a moral grounding. As Dr. Kaufmann explained, with his signature compassionate and sensible style, all information is presented with some kind of bias, one way or another; there are no “neutral” facts. This applies even to supposedly objective fields, such as the sciences. So for the purpose of having a good, moral, just, and knowledgeable society, an encyclopedia is needed that considers universal values, such as honesty, courage, and responsibility.
Dr. Kaufmann told the beautiful story of how the New World Encyclopedia project was first conceived by the co-founder of Women’s Federation for World Peace, Rev. Sun Myung Moon. There was a small miracle on the day the project was announced, and Rev. Moon said in that moment to Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founder of WFWP, that God was smiling on the Encyclopedia, and that it would be a blessing to all humankind. All topics of interest would be given a values-based treatment, and all people would have access to, as one webinar participant put it, “qualified authority of expertise in the sciences, history, and conscience.”
It is a well-known maxim that, “if you don’t stand for anything, you will fall for anything,” and the New World Encyclopedia is a terrific resource for gaining knowledge with a godly viewpoint. It is a good and factual resource for the New World of peace, understanding, and mutual prosperity!
Take a look at the difference between entries on the French Revolution on Wikipedia and in the New World Encyclopedia. Notice the New World Encylopedia’’s emphasis on its being part of a larger ideological revolution, the Enlightenment, and how war was the result.
Wikipedia: The French Revolution was a period of fundamental political and societal change in France that began with the Estates General of 1789 and ended in November 1799 with the formation of the French Consulate. Many of its ideas are considered fundamental principles of Western liberal democracy. Between 1700 and 1789, the French population increased from 18 million to 26 million, leading to large numbers of unemployed, accompanied by sharp increases in food prices caused by years of bad harvests.
New World Encyclopedia: The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a period of ideological, political and social upheaval in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French polity, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on Enlightenment principles of republicanism, citizenship, and rights. These changes were accompanied by violent turmoil, including executions and repression during the Reign of Terror, and warfare involving every other major European power.
Comments from participants:
“This is a wonderful explanation!”
“I will tell all my college kids about this.”
“Can't wait to use it; why didn't I know about it until this webinar!?”
Each month, WFWP USA members are treated to inspiration and practical tips from incredible guests with our members’ webinar! Sign up today at wfwp.us/membership for as little as $15 a month, help fund empowering programs for women and families, and receive a monthly invitation and access to our full webinar library.