The Psychological Drivers of the Metacrisis: John Vervaeke Iain McGilchrist Daniel Schmachtenberger
Dr Iain McGilchrist・2 minutes read
Human technological advancements and the impact of the Industrial Revolution have led to the metac crisis, posing existential risks by crossing planetary boundaries. The interconnected issues of climate change, species extinction, and nuclear threats emphasize the need for collective action and a balance between the left and right hemispheres of the brain to address the challenges civilization faces.
Insights
- The term "metac crisis" describes the world's current state facing severe risks due to human technological advancements and population growth.
- The poly crisis concept suggests that solutions to one problem may inadvertently worsen others, exemplified by post-World War II avoidance of nuclear war leading to complex global supply chains and resource consumption.
- The left and right hemispheres of the brain offer different modes of attention, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world, with overemphasis on mechanistic reductionism potentially leading to collapse.
- Reality is experienced as a relationship between observers and the observed, impacting each other, with happiness rooted in values, purpose, and a sense of the Sacred.
- Wisdom must bind power to prevent self-destruction, emphasizing the need for restraint and self-restraint in societal progress, with a focus on balancing power awareness and maintaining wisdom.
- The text advocates for a pluralistic approach that integrates various philosophical and religious traditions globally, emphasizing the importance of cultivating wisdom and creating conditions for its growth to prevent global catastrophic risks.
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Recent questions
What is the metacrisis?
The metacrisis refers to the current state of the world facing serious risks and impending problems due to human technological advancements and population growth. It encompasses various interconnected issues like climate change, species extinction, nuclear threats, and more, emphasizing the need to address them collectively.
How do civilizations rise and fall?
Civilizations rise and fall based on the balance or imbalance between the left and right hemisphere ways of seeing the world. Overemphasis on mechanistic reductionism can lead to collapse, as seen in historical patterns of civilizations experiencing cycles of creative flourishing followed by collapse due to neglect of interconnected, complex realities.
Why is relevance important?
Relevance is crucial as it connects subjective and objective aspects, termed as transc. It is not just a calculation but a matter of caring and commitment, focusing on what's relevant while ignoring irrelevant information to stay aligned with reality and prevent self-deception.
What is the role of wisdom in managing power?
Wisdom plays a vital role in managing technological power to prevent global catastrophic risks. It must bind power, guiding it to prevent chaos and imbalance, ensuring that power is used responsibly for the greater good and to maintain societal progress.
How can individuals contribute positively to the world?
Individuals can contribute positively to the world by cultivating wisdom, creating conditions for wisdom to flourish, and integrating various philosophical and religious traditions globally. By internalizing sage models, being active participants in the world, and balancing global and local actions, individuals can inspire aspirational projects and regeneration at both global and local levels.
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