An Overview of the Book
Section one introduces the basic concept behind the book, showing how the use of violence began with the earliest form of life when bacteria found they increased their chances of survival by ingesting other bacteria. At the same time however, we also learn that co-operating was also an effective survival strategy. This section looks at how our human psychology evolved over time.
The second section introduces the main concepts and theories of chaos theory. We see life as a balance between order and chaos, competition and co-operation, autonomy and connectivity. Life always seems to be about maintaining a dynamic balance between complementary opposites.
The third section looks at how the complexity concepts help us understand our individual and collective psychologies. We see how the concepts help explain so many areas of life from our body, to social structures, computer systems, natural systems and ecologies.
The Fourth Section looks at Jungian archetypes and how the form the foundation of our cognitive abilities and how we make sense of our world.
The fifth section examines some theories that are either a part of complexity or resonate with the concepts of complexity. The works of Ken Wilber outline a new, holistic view of our world. Spiral Dynamics offers a an innovative model to understand the levels of consciousness and societal evolution. Bornschier and Strauss and Howe offer models of cyclical historical trends over many decades . The adaptive cycle developed by Buzz Holling and Gunderson describe another cyclic model that shed light on the cycles of our existence.
The sixth section explores a number of significant historical periods in the light of all the theories and concepts previously discussed. This helps to explain some of the important underlying dynamics of human history.
The next section looks at our present situation and the issues before us such as climate change, peak oil, population overload and so much more
The final section looks at the value systems and approach we will need to face our uncertain future in order to create a viable and sustainable world for our descendants who follow us.
The second section introduces the main concepts and theories of chaos theory. We see life as a balance between order and chaos, competition and co-operation, autonomy and connectivity. Life always seems to be about maintaining a dynamic balance between complementary opposites.
The third section looks at how the complexity concepts help us understand our individual and collective psychologies. We see how the concepts help explain so many areas of life from our body, to social structures, computer systems, natural systems and ecologies.
The Fourth Section looks at Jungian archetypes and how the form the foundation of our cognitive abilities and how we make sense of our world.
The fifth section examines some theories that are either a part of complexity or resonate with the concepts of complexity. The works of Ken Wilber outline a new, holistic view of our world. Spiral Dynamics offers a an innovative model to understand the levels of consciousness and societal evolution. Bornschier and Strauss and Howe offer models of cyclical historical trends over many decades . The adaptive cycle developed by Buzz Holling and Gunderson describe another cyclic model that shed light on the cycles of our existence.
The sixth section explores a number of significant historical periods in the light of all the theories and concepts previously discussed. This helps to explain some of the important underlying dynamics of human history.
The next section looks at our present situation and the issues before us such as climate change, peak oil, population overload and so much more
The final section looks at the value systems and approach we will need to face our uncertain future in order to create a viable and sustainable world for our descendants who follow us.
