The Vertical Dimension of Experience Supports the Civility Values

All people experience the universe as something much larger, more complex, abstract and mysterious than their direct, personal lives.  They try to make sense of the whole and determine their place and meaning.  They sense that there are things beyond the materialistic human scale experience.  They feel separation and long for a stronger connection with the whole.  They experience parts of the larger universe which they cannot fully capture.  Love, beauty, change, consciousness, art, music, science, intuitions, mysteries, miracles, myths, stories, awe, infinity, eternity, transcendence, dimensions, time, responsibility, sacred, pure, form, structure, number and mathematics all point to something “more”.

Some identify and experience God, gods, even a personal God.  Others see structure, laws, nature, spirits or forces.

The key is the separation of the individual from the universe and the experienced relationship.  The individual is not alone.  He is connected to the source.  He has neighbors who seem to be in the same situation.  He experiences vertical and horizontal relationships. 

The source has provided life to all men.  They are in the same position.  They deserve respect.

Men understand something of the universe.  They connect with the source.  They appreciate the structure.  They are self-aware.  They exist.  Human dignity makes sense.

Men are not the center of the universe.  There are many creatures.  There are many other men.  Variety is everywhere.  Men and women differ.  Children and relatives differ.  Men experience growth, development and change.  They expect change and diversity.

Men experience freedom of choice.  They appreciate and defend this natural liberty.  They believe they have “free will”.  They seem to have a consistent “self” to speak with.  They have logical capabilities.  They can plan and execute.

Men experience logical yes and no.  They see opposites.  They sense “right and wrong”. They see and punish unfairness.  They are socialized by experience, parents and neighbors.  They live in a moral universe.  Accountability arises from this environment.

Men live in communities.  They are subject to the seasons, nature, disease, invaders and the weather.  Their lives and fates are intertwined.  They produce, learn, play and worship together.  They are interdependent.  They benefit from trade.  Communities transmit culture, history and myths.  The public good is self-evident in most human communities.

Man exists.  He is self-aware.  He experiences pleasure and pain.  Nature provides resources.  He experiences joy and sorrow.  He manages many fears and threats.  Yet, he sings and celebrates.  He benefits from a positive world view.

In each case, men have natural experiences, vertically connected with nature, the universe, the source of being.  This connection provides meaning, certainty, hope and safety.  These values are natural values, that can be supported without making specific religious, scientific or philosophical claims.

How the Vertical Dimension Supports Civility:  Google AI – April 8, 2026

The vertical dimension of life—often defined as one’s connection to a higher power, transcendent values, or a “higher self”—is deeply connected to civility, as it serves as an internal, ethical anchor that encourages treating others with respect, dignity, and care. While horizontal actions deal with navigating daily, material life, the vertical dimension focuses on inner transformation and accountability to a standard higher than oneself, which is often crucial for fostering public-mindedness and genuine connection with others.

• Foundation for Universal Respect: A vertical orientation provides a basis for recognizing that all individuals possess innate worth and dignity, independent of their social standing or whether one “likes” them. This “internal disposition of the heart” encourages respect for the “other,” ensuring individuals treat people as moral equals.

• Transcending Self-Interest: The vertical dimension cultivates a sense of awe and gratitude (an awe-based approach to the Divine or the cosmos) which encourages us to look beyond our own immediate interests and ego. This shift in consciousness moves people from a “me” focus to an “eco” or “us” focus, which is essential for community building and civility.

• Ethical Accountability: It brings a deeper awareness of the impact of one’s actions on others and fosters responsibility, self-awareness, and self-restraint. This often manifests as a “vertical” obligation to follow moral laws that transcend personal desires, leading to more respectful interaction.

• Disagreement Resolution: Authentic civility, rooted in this dimension, allows individuals to respectfully handle disagreements and navigate differences in public conversation rather than simply avoiding conflict.

Vertical vs. Horizontal Dimensions of Life

• Horizontal Dimension: Refers to the visible, life-in-time, material aspects of existence, where one tries to improve circumstances or “fix” things. It can sometimes lead to superficial politeness or a “socially controlled” adherence to norms rather than genuine care.

• Vertical Dimension: Focuses on the “Being” or the internal, non-physical plane of life, which brings peace and allows for better navigating of the horizontal plane.

In summary, the vertical dimension acts as the “inner soil” that nourishes civic behavior (public-mindedness), ensuring that interactions with others are grounded in deeper, shared principles of respect rather than just superficial politeness.  

Christianity Supports the 7 Civility Values – Good News

The 7 Civility Values are Supported by World Religions – Good News

7 Civility Values – Good News