The Ascent of Humanity: Civilization and the Human Sense of Self
✍️ Eisenstein, CharlesCurrently unavailable
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Charles Eisenstein, a profound voice in contemporary thought, unveils how the deeply ingrained belief in a 'separate self' has corrupted the very foundations of modern civilization. From science and economics to technology and education, this fundamental disconnection from each other and the natural world has led us to the precipice of collapse. Yet, Eisenstein posits that this journey of separation is not a mistake but an evolutionary crucible, birthing an 'Age of Reunion.' He invites us to transcend millennia-old paradigms of control, urging a radical reimagining of ourselves and our systems to forge a civilization rooted in beauty, not towering ambition.
Praise for this book
“Brilliant and original, with great depth of insight and understanding, Eisenstein's Ascent of Humanity easily ranks with the works of such giants of our age as David Bohm, Julian Jaynes, Jean Gebser, Whitehead. It is a profoundly serious, indeed somber portrait of our times, even as it opens a door of honest hope amidst the dark destiny we have woven about us. Accept the challenge of this major accomplishment and discover the light shining within it.”
“This is an extraordinary book. Eisenstein has put his finger on the core problem facing humanity--namely: separation. All the crises that humanity now faces are grounded in the belief that we are separate--separate from each other, separate from the biosphere that sustains us, separate from the universe that has brought us forth. This is a tour-de-force filled with astounding insight, wit, wisdom and heart.”
“This is one of those rare books that moves the goal posts. Eisenstein pulls together a wide array of insights to show that what we thought was the solution is also the problem. It is eye opening fodder for conversations with everyone I meet. As a technologist and a human being, I believe this could well be one of the most important books of the decade.”
📝 Description: The Ascent of Humanity: Civilization and the Human Sense of Self
📑 What's inside
- Author's Preface
- Introduction
- Chapter 1. The Triumph of Technology
- Gee Whiz-The Future!
- Utopia Postponed
- The Addiction to Control
- From Separation to Boredom
- From Affluence to Anxiety
- Chapter 2. The Origins of Separation
- The Origins of Self
- Fire and Stone
- Language and Label
- Mathematics and Measure
- Keeping Time
- Images of Perfection
- The Marvelous Piraha
- Cultivation and Culture
- The Machine
- Religion and Ritual
- The Playful Universe
- Chapter 3. The Way of the World
- The Scientific Method
- My Personal Age of Reason
- Masters of the Universe
- The Quest for Certainty
- Reducing Reality
- The Ghost in the Machine
- The Origin of Life
- Alone in the Universe
- Chapter 4. Money and Property
- The Realm of Me and Mine
- Alone in a Crowd
- The Anonymous Power
- Social Capital
- Cultural Capital
- Natural Capital
- Spiritual Capital
- Time, Money, and the Good
- The Economics of Other
- Interest and Self-interest
- The Crisis of Capital
- Chapter 5. The World under Control
- The Total Depravity of Man
- The Winners and the Losers
- Life, Death, and Struggle
- Yes and No
- The Pressure to Break Free
- Molding Minds
- The Great Indoors
- Life under Contract
- The War on Germs
- The War on Suffering
- Life in a Playpen
- Chapter 6. The Crumbling of Certainty
- The End of Objectivity
- Truth without Certainty
- Order without Design
- The Nature of Purpose
- The Purpose of Nature
- Life without a Replicator
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💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers seeking a profound shift in perspective will find this book essential. It appeals to those feeling overwhelmed by the crises of modern civilization and yearning for a deeper, more connected way of being. If you are tired of superficial fixes and want to understand the root of our collective disconnection, Eisenstein offers a compelling narrative. The book provides hope by framing our current struggles not as failures but as an evolutionary step toward reunion. It is perfect for spiritual seekers, ecologists, and anyone interested in reimagining society through a lens of beauty and interconnectedness rather than control and ambition.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Eisenstein presents a bold thesis on the 'separate self' driving modern collapse, offering an inspiring vision of an 'Age of Reunion.' However, readers who prefer empirical, data-driven analysis or rigid academic rigor may find the philosophical abstraction frustrating. The text assumes a willingness to engage with metaphysical concepts as primary drivers of reality, which might alienate skeptics or those strictly grounded in materialist paradigms. It is less suitable for those seeking practical, step-by-step instructions for societal change and more appropriate for those ready for a paradigm-shifting intellectual and spiritual journey.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
If you feel a profound unease with the direction of modern society, if you question the core assumptions underpinning our systems, and if you yearn for a deeper, more interconnected way of being, then this transformative work offers both diagnosis and a hopeful vision for a new paradigm.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
The Separate Self
Eisenstein meticulously dissects the pervasive philosophical error of perceiving ourselves as isolated individuals, detached from others and the ecosystem. He argues this foundational illusion underpins our societal structures, fueling a relentless, often destructive, pursuit of progress and technological dominance at the expense of genuine connection and planetary well-being.
Crisis as Evolution
Rather than viewing our current global crises as mere failures, the author reinterprets them as the painful but necessary birth pangs of a new era. This perspective suggests that humanity's journey through separation, though challenging, serves an evolutionary purpose, preparing us for a profound shift towards greater interconnectedness and a more integrated understanding of existence.
Reimagining Civilization
This work calls for a radical departure from the 'Babelian efforts' of building ever-higher towers of control and management. Instead, it advocates for a fundamental shift in our collective consciousness, moving towards systems and societies designed for inherent beauty, harmony, and reciprocal relationships, rather than accumulation or dominance.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Illusion of the Separate Self
- Age of Reunion
- Babelian Efforts
📔 Questions to reflect on
- Reflect on a personal experience where you felt profoundly disconnected. How might that experience be reinterpreted through the lens of the 'illusion of the separate self'?
- If our civilization were designed for 'beauty rather than height,' what specific changes would you envision in areas like education, community, or our relationship with nature?
- Consider a societal crisis you are passionate about. How might shifting from a mindset of control to one of reciprocal relationship alter your approach to addressing it?
📖 Read on the blog
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🏛 Books from this publisher North Atlantic Books
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