Includes bibliographical references (unnumbered page 412-page 491) and index.
Contents:
Introduction -- Part One: Who am I?. 1. The nameless uncarved wood -- 2. The original AI: animate intelligence -- 3. The most important relationship in your life -- Part Two: Where am I?. 4. The patterns of the universe -- 5. The harmonic dance of life -- Part Three: What am I?. 6. The deep purpose of life -- 7. The tao in my own nature -- Part Four: How should I live?. 8. Flourishing as an integrated organism -- 9. Cultivating integrated values -- 10. Human/nature -- Part Five: Why am I?. 11. Everything is connected -- 12. From fixed self to infinite Li: the fractural nature of identity -- Part Six: Where are we going?. 13. Weaving a new story of meaning -- Glossary -- Further reading -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Permissions -- Illustrations -- Index -- About the author -- About New Society Publishers.
Summary:
"As our civilization careens toward climate breakdown, ecological destruction, and gaping inequality, people are losing their existential moorings. The dominant worldview of disconnection, which tells us we are split between mind and body, separate from each other, and at odds with the natural world, has been invalidated by modern science. Award-winning author, Jeremy Lent, investigates humanity's age-old questions -- Who am I? Why am I? How should I live? -- from a fresh perspective, weaving together findings from modern systems thinking, evolutionary biology, and cognitive neuroscience with insights from Buddhism, Taoism, and Indigenous wisdom. The result is a breathtaking accomplishment: a rich, coherent worldview based on a deep recognition of connectedness within ourselves, between each other, and with the entire natural world. It offers a compelling foundation for a new philosophical framework that could enable humanity to thrive sustainably on a flourishing Earth. The Web of Meaning is for everyone looking for deep and coherent answers to the crisis of civilization"--page 2 of cover. "Integrating modern science with traditional wisdom, The Web of Meaning investigates humanity's age-old questions--Who am I? Why am I? How should I live?--from a fresh perspective, laying down the foundation for a new worldview of interconnectedness that could foster sustainable flourishing on a thriving Earth."-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.