[Cid_Yama]

Several years ago I had the pleasure to meet Mitsuhei Murata. The best description of him I can come up with is deep calm but active joy. He speaks of contentment, but he embraces life to it's fullest with joy.
He would enter the room like a deep calm pool of water, but one that radiated a warmth, brilliance and joy.
He is as close to my image of a saint that I have ever seen in this world.
Thus, I was greatly pleased to see this article written by him, that I want to pass on to you.

<b>Time to build a new civilization</b>
In the midst of the current global crisis, I am reminded of the words of Plato of ancient Greece to the effect that, to better the world, kings should become philosophers; otherwise the unhappiness of humanity will not disappear. Due to the lack of philosophy the world has lost its ideals.

Today's materialism is based on greed, which is now threatening the future of mankind and the globe. The current financial meltdown is one clear example. The deterioration of the environment is another.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The earth can provide for every one’s need, but not for every one’s greed.” This may explain the problems encountered by globalization.

So-called GDP economics ignores all the important values that cannot be quantified and converted into monetary values, such as culture, tradition, family and social justice. And it makes a major mistake in regarding natural resources as “income” and not as “capital,” which requires preservation. Because of this mistake, economic growth is seriously damaging the environment.

The prevailing supremacy of the economy has eroded the ethics of the present generation, which out of self-interest is building prosperity at the expense of future generations, abusing natural resources. This lack of ethical values is rampant on a global scale. Combined with the absence of a sense of responsibility and justice, this is cause for apprehension about the future of mankind and the globe.

link

Moved to Open. "Geopolitics: Discussions related to the global politics of energy use and acquisition."-FL

[CarlosFerreira]

I don't know Cid. It's not a generation, it's every generation since the beginning of mankind. Self interest is built into the system, it's a survival trait. How can you make sure every single one of the I-don't-know-how-many human beings in the world will abandon self interest for the higher interest of mankind? And what if everyone does it and someone later jumps the gun and gets advantage for himself? We'll be back at the first place in no time.

I just think we have to work with what we have, even if the whole ideal appeals to me.

[Daniel_Plainview]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('CarlosFerreira', 'I') don't know Cid. It's not a generation, it's every generation since the beginning of mankind. Self interest is built into the system, it's a survival trait. How can you make sure every single one of the I-don't-know-how-many human beings in the world will abandon self interest for the higher interest of mankind? And what if everyone does it and someone later jumps the gun and gets advantage for himself? We'll be back at the first place in no time.
I just think we have to work with what we have, even if the whole ideal appeals to me.

[CarlosFerreira]

Agreed on the first paragraph. Cheers!

Just a question: what does "reset" mean in this case?

[Cid_Yama]

Like he says, the change must be philosophical.

Myself, I believe it is far too late and man has reached his end within this next century.

If any do survive, a new foundation rooted in Lao Tsu may preserve future generations.

As a matter of fact Mitsuhei Murata and Alan Watts were the ones that turned me on to Taoism.

I owe him a bigger debt than I realized.

[CarlosFerreira]

It's a personal search, I can respect that. But it will take a far bigger crunch to make the collective look for answers elsewhere.

Anyway, massive respect to you.

[TWilliam]

Have you noticed that throughout history, philosophers and enlightened thinkers have remained an exceedingly small minority? This is because they all recognize the environmental folly of reproduction, thus they rarely produce offspring to which they might pass their enlightened values.

Put another way, intelligent self-awareness self-selects for genetic extinction.

This is why the ignorant will always far outnumber the aware, and why the species on the whole is likely doomed...

[Cid_Yama]

I have been a Taoist now for most of my life. For anyone interested in knowing more, The best introduction I know is <b>The Tao of Pooh</b> <i>by Benjamin Hoff</i>.

Taoism is about small actions, just living your life in accordance with the Tao, setting the ball rolling, or better, several balls rolling throughout your life. You will probably not see the fruits of your actions, but that's not the point. Small actions can result in great changes over time. Just <i>being</i> can lead others to contentment.

[biofuel13]

Nice post Cid. Thanks for that.

On a similar note let me suggest to all a great read on this topic.
"Beyond Civilization" written by Daniel Quinn. In it Quinn suggests we return to a more philosophic and tribal based society.

[Taghayee]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TWilliam', 'P')ut another way, intelligent self-awareness self-selects for genetic extinction.
This is why the ignorant will always far outnumber the aware, and why the species on the whole is likely doomed...

[gmin]

good thinking, but who's gonna do it?
TPTB will just sit there, waiting to be wiped out?
what the author's called for is nothing short of a revolution, and revolution is a bloody process.

[TWilliam]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Taghayee', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TWilliam', 'P')ut another way, intelligent self-awareness self-selects for genetic extinction.
This is why the ignorant will always far outnumber the aware, and why the species on the whole is likely doomed...

[sicophiliac]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TWilliam', 'H')ave you noticed that throughout history, philosophers and enlightened thinkers have remained an exceedingly small minority? This is because they all recognize the environmental folly of reproduction, thus they rarely produce offspring to which they might pass their enlightened values.
Put another way, intelligent self-awareness self-selects for genetic extinction.
This is why the ignorant will always far outnumber the aware, and why the species on the whole is likely doomed...

[wisconsin_cur]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TWilliam', 'H')ave you noticed that throughout history, philosophers and enlightened thinkers have remained an exceedingly small minority? This is because they all recognize the environmental folly of reproduction, thus they rarely produce offspring to which they might pass their enlightened values.
Put another way, intelligent self-awareness self-selects for genetic extinction.
This is why the ignorant will always far outnumber the aware, and why the species on the whole is likely doomed...

[Cid_Yama]

<i>Did they receive their enlightenment from their parents?

1. If "yes" than the enlightened do have children.

2. If "no" than" there is something else at work.</i>

From personal experience, there is something else at work.

[ReverseEngineer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DoomWarrior', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('CarlosFerreira', 'I') don't know Cid. It's not a generation, it's every generation since the beginning of mankind. Self interest is built into the system, it's a survival trait. How can you make sure every single one of the I-don't-know-how-many human beings in the world will abandon self interest for the higher interest of mankind? And what if everyone does it and someone later jumps the gun and gets advantage for himself? We'll be back at the first place in no time.
I just think we have to work with what we have, even if the whole ideal appeals to me.

[wisconsin_cur]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')aoism or really any other organized religious philosophy

[katkinkate]

It's more than just intelligence, it's maturity. The mature socialised adult human, has learned the consequences of their own actions, has taken reponsibility for themselves and recognises the value of constraining their own wants, in order to share with the greater community and is satisfied with this. They no longer feel the competitive drive to own as much as possible, even at the expense of others, even if those others are other species.

Western civilisation is at the mental level of the adolescent, "I want everything I want, now and even more tomorrow! And don't tell me how to live my life!"

[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('katkinkate', 'I')t's more than just intelligence, it's maturity. The mature socialised adult human, has learned the consequences of their own actions, has taken reponsibility for themselves and recognises the value of constraining their own wants, in order to share with the greater community and is satisfied with this. They no longer feel the competitive drive to own as much as possible, even at the expense of others, even if those others are other species.
Western civilisation is at the mental level of the adolescent, "I want everything I want, now and even more tomorrow! And don't tell me how to live my life!"

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('katkinkate', 'W')estern civilisation is at the mental level of the adolescent, "I want everything I want, now and even more tomorrow! And don't tell me how to live my life!"