The solution to our human dilemma is to recognize mutual respect as the ethic of justice. It follows from a belief in equality (whether its source is religious or secular), but, as pointed out in this article, as a source of values beliefs are inadequate for resolving conflict.

That ethic also follows, however, from observation within material existence: human beings have no choice but to effect choices (choose among perceived alternatives and take action to bring that choice to fruition). That absolute imperative applies to all individuals and all societies. It is integral to being human.

That observation thereby engenders a requirement for all people to respect the capacity of all others to choose for themselves whenever any choice is being effected, beginning with choosing whether/how/to what extent to be involved in that process. It boils down to a handful of absolute prohibitions: no killing, harming, coercing, stealing, or manipulating (lying, cheating, etc.) in effecting any choice, for oneself or on behalf of any other entity, to include society itself, as a unit of which one is a member.