What would it look like to rebuild society from scratch — guided not by profit or politics, but by respect, empathy, and gratitude? That’s the question at the heart of The Philosophy, a provocative new book by Melbourne-based author Alex Kain, who joined me on this week’s Changemaker Q&A podcast to explore what he calls “a rethink of everything.”
Kain, who has worked across fields from technology to private investigation and stand-up comedy, says his diverse experiences led him to a single conclusion: “Something’s not right here.” His book — and the movement emerging around it — invites readers to question the systems we’ve come to accept as inevitable and imagine how humanity could “level up” by aligning our societies with deeper human values.
A Blueprint for Rethinking Society
At the core of The Philosophy are three principles Kain believes should underpin everything we do: respect, empathy, and gratitude. They’re simple concepts, but Kain argues that the absence of these values lies at the root of many of society’s challenges — from poverty to environmental destruction.
“If we had empathy for others’ situations and gratitude for our own,” he says, “many of the ills we face wouldn’t exist.”
Kain’s vision is less about utopia and more about alignment — helping individuals and institutions rediscover their “True North.” The book proposes a practical framework built around four key relationships: with the universe, with oneself, with one’s inner circle, and with the broader community. Together, they form what he sees as the foundation of a more conscious, connected way of living.
Education, Empathy, and the Next Generation
One of Kain’s boldest ideas is to reimagine the education system as an incubator for humanity rather than just employability. “We assume that good values come from the home,” he says, “but how do we know that’s happening?”
His proposal — teaching respect, empathy, and gratitude as formal subjects from preschool through high school — echoes research by the OECD and UNESCO, which have both identified “social and emotional learning” as critical to future-ready education systems (OECD Future of Education report).
By embedding ethical and emotional literacy into the curriculum, Kain believes we could nurture a generation less likely to repeat the mistakes of the past — and more equipped to build communities grounded in understanding and shared humanity.
Redefining Success and Introducing UBI
Kain also tackles one of the thorniest questions of modern life: what does it mean to be successful? In The Philosophy, he argues that we’ve equated success with accumulation — wealth, possessions, productivity — at the expense of contribution and connection.
“It’s a primitive mindset,” he says. “We’re hoarding for ourselves instead of asking what we can contribute so that we all rise together.”
Part of his solution is universal basic income (UBI), an idea that’s gained traction globally. UBI experiments in countries such as Finland (BBC coverage) and Canada have shown that guaranteed income can improve wellbeing, reduce stress, and support creative pursuits without discouraging work.
For Kain, UBI isn’t just an economic policy — it’s a moral shift. It would give people the freedom to “do something meaningful,” whether that’s art, caregiving, or community work. “Survival,” he says, “should be a human right.”
Beyond Capitalism — Without the Labels
Despite his critiques, Kain insists The Philosophy isn’t anti-capitalist. He acknowledges that capitalism drives innovation, but argues that profit shouldn’t be the primary motive for solving human problems. “Why aren’t we finding cures for cancer simply to help people?” he asks. “We need to redefine our incentives — make contribution the new currency.”
It’s a vision reminiscent of thinkers like Rutger Bregman, whose book Utopia for Realists also champions UBI and the reimagination of work as a path to purpose rather than survival (The Guardian review). But Kain’s approach is less about policy and more about personal awakening — a call to reprogram what he calls the “human operating system.”
From Idea to Movement
Kain hopes The Philosophy becomes more than a book — a movement of people willing to rethink how they live and relate to others. His advice for where to start? “Go meet your neighbours.”
It’s a small, human act — but for Kain, that’s precisely the point. “We’re more connected than ever technologically,” he says, “but more disconnected socially.” Building real-world connections, he believes, is the first step to living the philosophy — and to building a world that finally makes sense.
You can learn more about The Philosophy and join the community conversations at thephilosophy.net.
