Ethics
The Ethics of metaculture is based on Utilitarianism, but with some evidence-based solutions to the various problems of utilitarianism that have been raised by critics.
The reason for Utilitarianism is that it is the only ethical system that is potentially subject to scientific inquiry, as long as good can be quantified objectively. Since evolution has correlated what is good for humans with what gives us happiness, if we can measure the happiness of a population we can tell if what we are doing is good, at least relative to other societies we've been able to study.
While you can really dive deeply into the world of ethical quandaries, the goal of this section is to provide a solid rationale for ethical living and an empirical framework for understanding its importance that doesn't rely on the supernatural. Applying this framework to every conceivable situation, or summarizing 5,000 years of ethical philosophy, are out of scope.
It's About Conviction
In Sapolsky's book Determined, there is a chapter devoted to the notion of moral conviction versus indifference, and the research showing that strong moral convictions, regardless of whether they are secular or religious, correlate to the most prosocial behavior. It is not belief in god or atheism that determines whether you are willing to undermine others to benefit yourself, it is moral indifference.
The chart below helps visualize the results of these studies that show the difference between conviction and indifference in both secular and spiritual contexts. On both sides there are those who lead unexamined lives, by going through the motions of their particular religion to keep up appearances, or pursuing a shallow, materialistic secular life.
Religious people tend to lump all "atheists" into the bottom-right category, falsely assuming that without god there can be only nihilism. They rightly point to the growing number of non-believers who live shallow, materialistic, hedonistic lifestyles that lead more often to addiction than lasting happiness. But it isn't religion that these people truly need, it is conviction! Some may find it in religion, but in modern society there needs to be a secular institution where people can go to deepen and reinforce their convictions and build their community without invoking the supernatural.
What Are The Rules?
Saying that people should practice utilitarian ethics is easy. Doing the necessary research to determine the best course of action personally as well as in politics and economics is hard. Fortunately there have been many brilliant people throughout history who have worked on this and we can summarize their research into something easy and practical that can be applied in your daily life.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
If you are looking for much more specific recommendations that can help your life choices, see Evidence-Based Best Practices.
If you have recently been quantum leaped into the body of a black person, the following musical provides great advice on the rules for this very specific situation.
Other Pop Culture Based Ethical Systems
The Michael Shur program The Good Place is an acceptable alternative to a college intro to ethics course for those who prefer binge TV watching to coursework. His book, How to be Perfect, takes a deeper dive into the entertaining morality lessons from The Good Place. If you aren't going to read Plato, Kant, and Mill, then you can at least binge-watch The Good Place.