State of Our World: Open_Notes 29

the slave history of black America is being felt by the working poor of white America today; the "property" of production, freedom lost; capitalism wearing down everyone; our rights as Americans defend us if we exercise them; consider going cold-turkey, abstinence vs. the media-entertainment complex; consider ourselves, our lives, THINK, understand who we are, what we are, and what we need; psychic pain is tough, the place where we all are going that will redefine us; we have more in common than we have separately; we have to stop our specialization, ie. far right, far left, etc., critique capitalism; the dictatorship of the few, the -ism's; democracy is not defined by capitalism, it is define by us getting together to decide what is right for us [a call to consensus]; it is impossible to not be capitalistic today [to exist in this society], we are not fools, but we have to learn from each other; there is a lot of possibility to grow in America, our rights make it possible.

consumerism is not a measure of a society, not an indicator of "are we any richer?" - the margin of profit determinant, instilled needs - we have to tell the truth, not remain silent, not tell the lie; we have to move away from society's "when we are overlooked we sue"; man made definitions, ie., ownership vs. the commons; everyone is hopeless in capitalism, all-or- nothing mentality -- people cannot imagine a concept of a world without capitalism, ownership; personal decisions are needed to withdraw from the definitions, from the practise of capitalism ** we have to reinvent ourselves vs. the feeling of helplessness -- how do we get out of the system ?? - we have to realize what part of our lives are not true, recognize our own power, we have to begin to realized we are not separate, we have to work together; our problems are the same, we have to work on our actions and not against each other -- voting is an exercise in futility, but we must get more involved, we have to belong; politics is a continual process, we have to consider this; we need more choice, we have to define what we want; we have to force the country, the corporations to give us what we want [we have to create our own, we must belong to ourselves, our community, the right *place* to be, direct democracy; NOT maintaining a place within the system seeking redress, new opportunity, the harsh reality will remain harsh if we do so]. -- [based on NPR, Talk of the Nation, author Walter Mosely, "Working On The Chain Gang", Library of Contemporary Thought, Jan.18.00, with additions]

State of Our World: Open_Notes 29

Mammon or Messiah

Mammon or Messiah Book 1 (full text) excerpts:
http://caimbhriainmyrddin.blogspot.com/

Mammon or Messiah

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 1

globalization - the new face of capitalism - WTO, etc., the main instruments and instigators -- Margaret Thatcher "TINA" There Is No Alternative -- Markets are managed, designed, constructed - double-edged (poor/rich) - managed internally by corporations (tyranny) - cost socialized, profit privatized, loss privatized (IMF, World Bank); the poor of the country pay out the private lenders, along with the western taxpayers who provide the free risk insurance (monies) -- 100 top TNC's (have received state monies, protection); 20 would not have survived without public money -- decisions are made by: 1 states (G7 the most equal among equals); the US the most equal among the equal; 2 institutions (of global dominance), ie. WTO; 3 corporations, financial institutions (linked TNC's); 1.5T$ capital flow/day, mostly destructive use (money markets) vs. constructive use [90% of the international flows of money = speculation in financial assets ie., bank loans for hedge funds, stocks on margin, etc.] - the overwhelming of National-States; Congress owned - 1/4 of 1% of the population give the majority of political contributions, and they expect a return -- the giveaway of the Internet; given to commercial interests (developed over 30 years at public expense) -- private power sets the conditions in which decisions are made, no matter who is in power - global capital power has veto power over policy (a virtual Senate vs. "irrational" policy designed to help people not profits), capital withdrawn as punishment.

"liberalization" of capital and finance opens up countries to the [SAGE] Senate; these are major factors in the world since the early 1970s (neo-liberalism, minimizing the state); in the OECD, the 29 richest countries' expenditures have increased for the rich while decreasing services to the poor (this is not minimizing the state, this is changing the state) -- the world reflects the interests of its owners (through media, advertising) - customs of the ages replaced by a message of futility, superficiality, to instill a need (a philosophy of futility and helplessness) -- the more free a country is the more you have to control the public mind -- after WWI (public franchise extended; industrial democracy) the regimentation of the public mind became a priority along with manufactured crises (the red scare) - political warfare vs. the public - after WWII and the depression, a democratic surge worldwide; this led to a huge propaganda offensive; 1960s another huge democratic upsurge ("The Crisis of Democracy", Trilateral Commission book; an excess of democracy has to be controlled), led to repression and increased propaganda and the liberalization of capital flows.

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 1

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 2

the "National Interest", the image that all this is done for the public good vs. the conflicting interests, the "Special Interests" (the public demands); the responsible men have to be protected from the trampling herd - the "tools and tyrants of government" (-James Madison) - the state-corporate nexus -- FTA's (Free Trade Agreement) in the National Interest - a striking example of how public attitudes and policy divert - FTA's represent TNC's, they are not agreements in the public sense - fast track legislation vs. public exposure - MAI needed fast tract; negotiated in secret for 03 yrs; early 1998 "Business Week" article; an extraordinary giveaway of power to corporations vs. democratic and human rights; grassroots action opened the MAI and it failed to pass due to public pressure (not shelved; just paused); seeping back in other ways, ie., WTO Meeting, Seattle, Nov. 1999.

public demands vs. genetically engineered foods (called collective madness, widespread hysterical fear by the corporate media) - rigid doctrinal controls threatened -- post WWII system designed: 1 UN; 2 Universal Declaration of Human Rights; 3 Bretton Wood's (stable currencies, national controls), international economic system designed (capital mobile and unrestrained) vs. sovereign-democratic, social-economic rights; early 1970s controls on financial flows eliminated, mostly speculative, only 05% now linked to actual trade; IMF (third-world cultural adjustment system) -- in 1999 the average household income has reached 1989 levels with longer hours of work -- these are human decisions, a doctrinal system [SAGE] - we must place our fate in our own hands. -- [Notes 1,2] [NPR, Alternative Radio, Noam Chomsky, "Globalization", talk given at Boston College, Oct.99, bdcst. Nov.27.99, with [inserts]]

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 2

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 3

a Nation-State is a corporate entity controlled by a few for one purpose only, the generation and control of wealth - a new organization needed - sovereign communities; control in the hands of the public(-Nation) -- Government, the Presidency, White House, etc. = focal points for the public, media - SAGE interface, mask -- wisdom begins when we accept what we don't know -- governments, banks, corporations = the key emmonic [emotion/money marriaged together; the psychosis(sys)] mechanism's; the OS - the professions, trades, jobs are the applications; we are the functions -- the SAGE control the keyboard; the media is the limited, extremely course display (not fine-point, crystal-clear), opaque as possible -- we need new hardware, a new OS, new applications, and open access - an overall new design !!

1990s US defense budget = x5 the combined total of all her potential enemies - the SAGE MIIM [Military Industrial Intelligence/(Legal) Matrix] -- Americanada, Israeurope Inc. are in private hands for private benefit -- the wages of war are enormous = 1T$/yr - the lucrative business of war -- created enemies in the "national interest" of the SAGE; next is the American people; America making an enemy of her own citizens !!

"anarcom os" - how do you bring the world to a standstill ?? -- Americanada Inc.'s business *is* business -- the concept of a free society is being gradually withdrawn as it is no longer in the SAGE interest -- petition of government for redress of grievances useless - the actions of a few leading to the suspension of rights for the majority; suspension of the Constitution when it suits the powers-that-be -- this is NOT freedom, these are tactics of a Fascist-State, ie., the chaos, mayhem caused by the police tactics of breaking up large masses into manageable groups [Seattle-WTO, Nov.30-Dec.01.99]; innocent citizens caught among the violent (the police have the ability to selectively excise any violent protesters; waiting to do so, to have an excuse to suspend civil rights, is criminal) - yet, we must stand in solidarity with the Police Officers, they are our brothers and sisters, they have been used and abused, in some circumstances, by those in authority [chained by command] to, in effect, turn on the very citizens they swore to protect - the government does NOT have the right to determine when "freedom of speech" has spoken enough; their actions speak volumes - a narrow (narrowing; restricted) democracy vs. the open_commons.

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 3

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 4

modernity = science and technology, disciplines of a liberalized society to post-modernism - moral relativism, situational ethics, anything goes - self-absorbed, self-referenced society - deep loss of confidence leading to neurosis, obsessing - authenticity; each human being has his own way of being human; breaking apart the structures, the older codes of behavior leading to uncertainty; lack of settlement in life; anguish; loss of direct supports in life; lack of something to lean on; depth of uncertainty increasing.

the real self, the authentic vs. the conditioned self -- limiting beliefs vs. new enlightenment - we are all a work-in-progress; accept yourself, accept mistakes, forgive yourself and learn from them -- embrace the best of who you are, empower yourself, live a balanced and fulfilled life, a whole person -- people are much more than just a physical image; all must be treated with the respect that God expects -- revitalize, nurture, feed - turn off the aging process, turn on life -- revitalizing the mind; thought/emotion/feeling - the number one killer or healer is the mind - we have been conditioned to react, not reason (to outside stimulation's); focus on the essential qualities of life not the unessential; harmonize; pause; the little things are not consequential, don't make them so; anger does not solve problems - stress must be overcome; it leads to disease, and aging (actually causes neuron degeneration and death) -- an eclectic synthesis - thought remediation -- we are not consumers, we are citizens !! - tomorrow's potentials are far greater than today's limitations.

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 4

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 5

an expatriator = one who advocates expatriation, repudiation and anarcho_communitarian values -- the adonim understanding [Adon (H113; H136 Adonay, my Lord), rendered "Lord," meaning Lord as Ruler of the earth; Adonim, the plural of Adon, carries all the meaning of Adon, but to a higher degree; God is the owner and proprietor of the earth, the Lord who rules his own] - Psm 111:10 ... a good understanding have all they who obey His commandments [the communitarian constitution; the 10C]; the recognition of the kingdom and authority of God (God's many names as explanation; the confederation of tribes).

the dom_innate vs. dominate, domination, dominant [DOM, to God, the great, the greatest] - usury in control, democracy non-existent; false usurper god -- usury = usurper -- labor, community groups, ngo's must turn from their tradition of oppositional redistributionism to a new role as creators and generators of wealth - we have to stop demanding a bigger slice of the pie, and start making our own -- we have to listen, to give "ear" [expatriation and repudiation] -- Adonim = sole_proprietorship.

communitarian reform movement -- which generation is going to make the sacrifices needed, ours or our children's or our grandchildren's ?? - we must become a people of deeds, not rhetoric - our very survival is at stake !! -- 2nd American Revolution, active, non-violent EXPATRIATION from the SAGE construct; a reconstruction of constitutional values; federated communities; sovereign individuals -- the begettal and rebirth of the American ideal, a revived and revised American System, the public-Nation -- a recognition needed before the reckoning can begin, a "recognition gospel".

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 5

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 6

America (and by extension Canada) is an ideal; the ideal no longer exists -- America *is* its people; its people *are* America -- America is no longer a reality; America has ceased to exist; America must be withdrawn from the corporate private_money system to be reborn; the American System with its public_money system, communitarian and constitution values must be reinstated - the American people have been usurped of their *rights* under the corporate system -- corporate government and politicians at all levels must be disbanded and community "citizen assemblies", with a federated "people's congress" must be instituted in its place -- the individual is his own representative in the consensus process.

violence must be avoided; you don't fight the Beast by becoming a beast yourself; non-violent EXPATRIATION is a must -- people have been mislead, even most in power - a massive educational effort must be initiated - people must be reacquainted with the American System as *ideal*, founded and based on God's Word - each citizen as teaching ministrant; study circles -- the American Dream must be awakened; the dream must become reality; we have been lulled into a very restless, deep sleep; the nightmare must end !!

a focus on the the social message - there is no shortage of persons preaching the Gospel message - the social message is the other side of the coin - the communitarian values inherent within the Gospel message - the spiritual and physical are inextricably intertwined together, they cannot be separated and must be lived and experienced together, there is only one way; to conquer others is to know power, to conquer yourself is to know the way [the return of Christ's social message; the communitarian church; the human_organism] -- the spiritual focus in all aspects of life [the 10C] is primary, the spiritual nature in each of us; cities thick with people need to be stirred; the begettal of physical society, a transformation from the ground up; truth planted, nurtured, harvested; conversion is a process.

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 6

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 7

spending a wage = spending your life -- voluntary simplicity, compassion [Janet Luhrs, author "The Simple Living Guide"] - simple and enriched -- to earn a living, to make a living vs. "a living" as an inalienable right given to each by God; to contribute to a living is the proper communitarian term - the common_wealth NOT private_wealth -- the church is NOT a business; the church is an organism of people; a people who contribute and distribute where needed - a for-profit corporation is a criminal entity; usury is against the Law of Almighty God, and is condemned in the Bible -- the SAGE set the conditions of life; this cannot be allowed to continue; the very existence of humanity is being threatened (the loss of our human-ity will result in the death of humanity), the corporate view is obscuring this fact; society's veneration without comprehension; thought required to lead and not be led; the commons must speak by its actions vs. the corporate state ["a distinct artifact of ruling classes, a professionalized monopoly of violence to assure the subjugation and exploitation of human by human" (-Murray Bookchin)] - 2 Cor 10:5 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ", thus ensuring ultimate freedom and equality.

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 7

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 8

socialism, pacifism, organized church activity, ngo's, and other aspects of worldly life = inadequate patching on a social system that needs to be discarded and replaced - the promise of the corporate kingdom has replaced the promise of the Kingdom of God, the almighty dollar has replaced Almighty God in the affairs of men -- the real in_com = inclusive community: good works, physical salvation, light of a sound mind (let your light so shine before men), habitus -- the consequences of decisions made by human beings - we can make different choices, to institutionalize different values - somewhere there is a deep consciousness for change - a post-corporate world - not-for-profit stakeholder co-ops, family firms, etc. -- restored to health, of a sound mind, self_controlled.

people of conscience vs. property elevated above the human condition; the elevation of humanity above the bottom-line -- the paradox of prosperity = affluenza; depression - the living_standard vs. living standards -- the corporation is a fiction, a manifestation of mind -- Americanada Inc. -- monetary repression, oppression -- disassemble [to take apart], disassembly of the common_cause - dissemble [to conceal under a false appearance; SAGE] - the dissociation of humanity -- don't believe in the victimizer - maintain your sense of self-respect, dignity - life is more than just enduring and surviving.

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 8

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 9

consumption contraceptive needed to decouple our consumption from the results engendered; a layer of reason -- a demographically divided planet - world population 06B Tue.Oct.12.99 - the income of the richest 225 people = 1/2 the worlds people -- ecological degradation - 1st world disproportionate share -- (the corporate argument that) the resources to sustain economic growth becoming more abundant not more scarce; resources are creations of human ingenuity, technology, innovation; we manufacture our own resources; resource availability will advance vs. all resources (the use of natural resources; the basis) are limited by their rates of renewal -- the food issue debate - population growth, rising levels of consumption - the means of the 1st world to insulate itself from resource scarcity and population growth is not available to the 2nd and 3rd worlds -- decreased consumption needs to be seen as not a loss - extraction and disposal stream vs. "natural" capitalism - profit with conservation needed - waste must be reintroduced into the economy - environment saving activities, markets needed.

a significant correlation between education and employment opportunities for girls and women worldwide with fertility rates, family planning, and food yields; access to farm credit for 3rd world women, the critical inputs needed for food production must be made available -- disparities of wealth increasing, a looming demographic nightmare -- (the corporate argument that)free and open markets the key to prosperity; institutions to create wealth opens the way to all else; growth argument vs. meeting basic needs priority; redistribution of land; access to education, health care, etc., needed prior to free-for-all, capitalistic rule of law, property rights, etc. -- [NPR, Science Friday, "Population Growth", Oct.07.99]

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 9

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 10

raising interest rates vs. inflation is a contradiction - raising rates raises mortgages, loans, etc., leading to labor urges for increased income, and for retailers to raise prices which leads to inflation --
4-5% of the money stock comes from government (notes, coins), 95% from bank lending (debt); currency = debt token -- globalization = cross-transfer of nearidentical goods vs. producing, consuming locally - TNC controlled; WTO is not an impartial body, ie., GM food industry vs. precautionary principle (burden of proof on the protestors not the producers) - GM foods part of a trend of mass produced, centralized, bulk transport of food (corporate excuse to combat lack of food worldwide - in reality not want of food, butwant of money to purchase the food) -- debt to supply money > cheapness of products (economy run on debt) - mass produced, cheap goods, processed foods (chemicals added to preserve profits) - GM foods cheaper, lasts longer, ie., tomato's (ripens longer on shelf).

destructive economics vs. efficient use of resources; non-durable products; continual waste of livelihoods -- money need not be created by private debt; government has the obligation to issue money without debt (a safe and uniform currency) -- massive reform needed; this is an important message and needs to be reported responsibly -- modern capitalism = lending capitalism (borrower-lender-return); debt-based financial system (individual incomes, lives massively depleted); government control of currency is NOT communism -- western governments sell bonds to banks, banks issue credit; government does not print money; government power lies in taxation and expenditure not in currency issue -- "COMER" a study in economic reform (Canada). -- [based on Michael Rothbotham, uk author, "The Grip of Debt", pub. Christian Council of Monetary Justice]

eCommerce WWW (World Without Walls) global market - WTO = global corporate power concentration; reflects the worst not the best; human rights and the environment sacrificed on the altar of free trade -- democracy subordinated; corporations-national states claim democracy defined on trade.

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 10

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 11

there is a shadow on the goods we purchase - there is a human face behind the brand name labels -- wages 4/10 of 1% of the retail price, starvation wages, avg. 1/3 of a subsistence wage - new levels of exploitation; force; fear - corporate "code of conduct" self-serving; prison-like factories -- "Made in the USA" labels suspect - El Salvador 225 factories, 50M$ month; WTO talk of .60/hr being lowered to .35/hr -- enormous greed driving the corporations - NIKE 70,000 workers in Indonesia, China 50-60,000 workers in one complex, factories in El Salvador, Honduras -- NIKE slogan "Just Do It" - toxic glue used in sneaker manufacture with no protection, respirators - Alpine car stereos, .35/hr China - NIKE founder Phil Nike worth 5.8B$ -- sucking the wealth off the back of slave labor -- Disney's Haiti factories, .06 of wages in a 20$ garment; Michael Isner made 3.4M$/week in 1998.

Burma a concentration camp, military dictatorship; May 1997 US sanctions ignored; US garment manufactures .06/hr, wages lowest in the world; all US business must be joint-ventures with the military and/or drug lords -- Walmart the largest retailer in the world; largest private sector employer in the US (no longer GM; GM largest in Mexico); 1/2 of employees eligible for food-stamps; 137.6B$/yr (larger than 155/192 countries); plays countries off of one another for lowest wages, free-trade zones, etc. - no taxes, tariffs paid -- 475,000 US manufacturing jobs lost in 1998 due to WTO-Corporate greed - Walmart founder Walton family worth 67.5B$ -- Saipan (US territory, but not covered by immigration, minimum wage laws) "Made in USA" labels; Chinese women laborers charged recruitment fees, room-board - indentured servitude - Walmart-Gap etc., produces misery and poverty around the world; TNC's will NOT link trade to human rights, claim impediment to free trade; ** competitive advantage based on oppression ** -- China a massively repressive state, GM-Motorola investing heavily in China; top 20% control 55% of China, one child policy does not apply to the elite -- "United Students Against Sweatshops" vs. WTO-Corporations-Media (ie., NIKE 650M$ advertising budget); WTO-NAFTA laws seemingly "written in stone" [by man] must be demolished [the only laws written in stone that are permanent are God's, the 10C]. -- [NPR, Alternative Radio, Charlie Kernigan, national-dir., National Labor Committee, "The Human Face of the World Economy", Dec.04.99, with [inserts]]

Communitarian Alternative: Open_Notes 11

Mammon or Messiah

Mammon or Messiah Book 1 (full text) excerpts:
http://caimbhriainmyrddin.blogspot.com/

Mammon or Messiah

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 1

for physicists at the beginning of the century, the new quantum view of reality was by no means easy to accept - the exploration of the atomic and subatomic world brought them in contact with a strange and unexpected reality - in their struggle to grasp this new reality, scientists became painfully aware that their basic concepts, their language, and their whole way of thinking were inadequate to describe atomic phenomena - their problems were not merely intellectual but amounted to an intense emotional and, one could say, even existential crisis - it took them a long time to overcome this crisis, but in the end they were rewarded with deep insights into the nature of matter and its relation to the human mind.

the dramatic changes of thinking that happened in physics at the beginning of this century have been widely discussed by physicists and philosophers for more than fifty years - they led Thomas Kuhn to the notion of a scientific paradigm, defined as "a constellation of achievements, concepts, values, techniques, etc., shared by a scientific community and used by that community to define legitimate problems and solutions" - changes of paradigms, according to Kuhn, occur in discontinuous, revolutionary breaks called paradigm shifts.

today, twenty-five years after Kuhn's analysis, we recognize the paradigm shift in physics as an integral part of a much larger cultural transformation - the intellectual crisis of the quantum physicists in the 1920s is mirrored today by a similar but much broader cultural crisis - the major problems of our time are all different facets of that crisis, which is essentially a crisis of perception - like the crisis in quantum physics, it derives from an outdated worldview, inadequate for dealing with the problems of a globally interconnected world - at the same time, researchers in several scientific disciplines, various social movements, and numerous alternative organizations and networks are developing a new vision of reality that will form the basis of our future technologies, economic systems, and social institutions.

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 1

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 2

what we are seeing today is a shift of paradigms not only within science but also in the larger social arena - to analyze that cultural transformation I have generalized Kuhn's definition of a scientific paradigm to that of a social paradigm, which I define as "a constellation of concepts, values, perceptions, and practices shared by a community, which forms a particular vision of reality that is the basis of the way the community organizes itself."

the paradigm that is now receding has dominated our culture for several hundred years, during which it has shaped our modern Western society and has significantly influenced the rest of the world - this paradigm consists of a number of ideas and values, among them the view of the universe as a mechanical system composed of elementary building blocks, the view of the human body as a machine, the view of life in society as a competitive struggle for existence, the belief in unlimited material progress to be achieved through economic and technological growth, and, last, not least, the belief that a society in which the female is everywhere subsumed under the male is one that follows a basic law of nature - during recent decades all of these assumptions have been found severely limited and in need of radical revision - and indeed, such a revision is now occurring.

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 2

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 3

the new paradigm may be called a holistic world view, seeing the world as an integrated whole rather than a dissociated collection of parts - it may also be called an ecological view, if the term "ecological" is used in a much broader and deeper sense than usual - deep ecological awareness recognizes the fundamental interdependence of all phenomena and the fact that, as individuals and societies, we are all embedded in (and ultimately dependent on) the cyclical processes of nature.

the new paradigm may also be called a systemic view, or systems view of the world - in my way of using these terms, "ecological" and "systemic" are synonymous, "systemic" being merely the more technical, scientific term - "holistic," however, is a slightly different concept and somewhat less appropriate to describe the new paradigm.

there are several differences between "holistic" and "ecological" (or "systemic") - a holistic view of, say, a bicycle, means to see the bicycle as a whole, to understand the interdependence of its parts, etc. - an ecological view of the bicycle includes all that and adds to it the perception of how the bicycle is embedded in its natural and social environment, where the raw materials that went into it came from, how it was manufactured, how its use affects the natural environment and the community by which it is used, etc. - this distinction between "holistic" and "ecological" is even more important when we talk about living systems, for which the connections with the environment are much more vital - finally, the term "holistic" may seem to suggest that the new paradigm deals only with the whole and no longer with the parts - this is, of course, incorrect - although there is a clear shift of emphasis from the parts to the whole, the parts are still important - for that reason, "systemic" or "ecological" seems to be a better term for the new paradigm.

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 3

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 4

the sense in which I use the term "ecological" is associated with a specific philosophical school and, moreover, with a global grassroots movement, known as "deep ecology," which is rapidly gaining prominence - the philosophical school was founded by the Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess in the early seventies with his distinction between "shallow" and "deep" ecology - this distinction is now widely accepted as a useful terminology for referring to a major division within contemporary environmental thought.

shallow ecology is anthropocentric - it views humans as above, or outside of nature, as the source of all value, and ascribes only instrumental, or use value to nature - Deep ecology does not separate humans from the natural environment, nor does it separate anything else from it - it does not see the world as a collection of isolated objects but rather as a network of phenomena that are fundamentally interconnected and interdependent - Deep ecology recognizes the intrinsic values of all living beings and views humans as just one particular strand in the web of life.

ultimately, deep ecological awareness is spiritual, or religious awareness - when the concept of the human spirit is understood as the mode of consciousness in which the individual feels connected to the cosmos as a whole, it becomes clear that ecological awareness is spiritual in its deepest essence - it is therefore not surprising that the emerging new vision of reality, based on deep ecological awareness, is consistent with the so-called "perennial philosophy" of spiritual traditions, whether we talk about the spirituality of Christian mystics, that of Buddhists, or the philosophy and cosmology underlying the Native American traditions.

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 4

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 5

the connections between the new paradigm in science and the basic ideas in spiritual traditions are studied in transpersonal psychology, a school of psychology which originated in California in the 1960s and is concerned, directly or indirectly, with the recognition, understanding, and realization of nonordinary, mystical, or "transpersonal" states of consciousness.

the link of these transpersonal experiences with the awareness of deep ecology has become more and more apparent over the last few years - in fact, a new book by one of the leading deep ecologists, Warwick Fox, is titled "Toward A Transpersonal Ecology".

besides deep ecology, there are two other important schools of ecology, social ecology and feminist ecology (or ecofeminism) - in recent years there has been a lively debate in philosophical journals and the alternative media about the relative merits of deep ecology, social ecology, and ecofeminism -- I would like briefly to characterize each of these three schools of thought and suggest a framework for their integration into a coherent ecological vision.

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 5

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 6

deep ecological awareness seems to provide the ideal philosophical and spiritual basis for an ecological lifestyle and for environmental activism - however, it does not tell us much about the cultural characteristics and patterns of social organization that have brought about the current ecological crisis - this is the focus of social ecology.

the common ground of the various schools of social ecology is the recognition that the fundamentally anti-ecological nature of many of our social and economic structures and their technologies is rooted in what Riane Eisler in "The Chalice and the Blade" has called the "dominator system" of social organization - patriarchy, imperialism, capitalism, and racism are examples of social domination that are exploitative and anti-ecological -- among the different schools of social ecology there are various Marxist and anarchist groups who use the respective conceptual frameworks to analyze different patterns of social domination.

The New Vision of Reality: excerpt 6