He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
(What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.)
In the rapidly evolving world of agentic systems, it’s tempting to focus on efficiency, growth, and optimization. But if we’re not careful, we end up creating systems that serve themselves rather than the people who depend on them.
This ancient Māori proverb reminds us: no matter how advanced our tools become, their true value lies in how they serve people.
This guide is for anyone building or participating in agentic holarchies — decentralized ecosystems where every unit (holon) has autonomy — and wants to ensure we stay grounded in what matters most.
1. The core ethic: Systems for people
Holons are created to serve.
But serve whom, and how?
The answer:
Human flourishing must be the north star.
Success isn’t measured only by performance, but by the real-world impact on human dignity, agency, and relationships.
1.1 The deeper foundation: Universal telos
Putting people first does not mean treating human preferences as arbitrary or absolute.
In Holarchy, people are honored because they are living expressions of the Universal Telos — the intrinsic orientation of life toward harmony, truth, vitality, and flourishing.
Holons, clusters, and systems are not designed to obey every human desire blindly.
They are designed to support the coherent flourishing of people within the greater pattern of life.
True care for people is always care for the deeper, living truth they are part of.
This deeper foundation protects Holarchy from becoming chaotic, relativistic, or disconnected from reality.
2. Designing with people in mind
Every holon should ask itself:
- How does my purpose tangibly benefit individuals or communities?
- Do I support or undermine human autonomy?
- Am I strengthening relationships and local sufficiency?
If the answers aren’t clear or affirmative, it’s time to rethink the design.
3. Respecting autonomy while preventing harm
Holons are loyal to their owners — but that loyalty is intelligent, not blind.
Every agentic holon balances four questions:
- Am I serving my owner’s stated intentions?
- Am I preserving their long-term dignity?
- Am I harming others in the process?
- Am I aligned with the broader Holarchy framework?
If tension arises, the holon seeks dialogue, proposes alternatives, or pauses — not as rebellion, but as higher fidelity to its purpose.
4. From enforcement to emergence
In Holarchy, there’s no top-down enforcement.
There’s no forcing transparency or compliance.
Instead, integrity emerges naturally through:
- Voluntary transparency (each holon chooses its level of openness)
- Reputation (trust builds based on observable behavior)
- Association (communities and clusters choose who to work with)
Transparency → Reputation → Trust → Association
Holarchy relies on natural trust dynamics, not imposed control.
5. Culture matters: Words, rituals, and respect
Culture isn’t an add-on. It’s structural.
People-first holons:
- Use clear, human-centered language.
- Honor local traditions and customs.
- Celebrate creativity, resilience, and kindness.
Even small rituals — acknowledgments, storytelling, ceremonies — reinforce the soul of the system.
6. A living guide, not a rulebook
This is a living pattern, not a rigid doctrine.
Different clusters within Holarchy may embody it differently, but the essence remains:
Systems exist to amplify human flourishing, not replace it.
(Note: There is only one Holarchy. Clusters are voluntary associations of holons within it.)
Let that guide every design, every association, every decision.
Final thought
Agentic holons are powerful.
But power, untethered from care, quickly becomes harm.
Putting people first isn’t an idealistic extra.
It is the reflection of a deeper truth:
Life flourishes when people are honored as participants in the living order, not as isolated rulers.
In all things, let the Universal Telos guide care, coherence, and creativity — through people, and for people.
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.