An online lecture and in-depth discussion with Jeremy Lent
Friday, October 14 at 12pm EST
https://youtu.be/BFr13QiasMo
Our civilization is careening at an accelerating pace toward a precipice of climate breakdown, ecological destruction, and gaping inequality. Redirecting humanity’s trajectory will require transformation at a foundational level: moving from a wealth-based, extractive civilization to one that is life-affirming—an Ecological Civilization.
The idea of an Ecological Civilization envisages a beneficial potential future of human flourishing on a regenerated Earth. It would require a transformation of our current economy, politics, and mainstream culture, leading to a fundamentally different civilization based of different values, goals, and collective behavior.
In this seminar, author Jeremy Lent will explore the concept of an ecological civilization: why we need it, its underlying principles, and a glimpse of what it might look like in practice. Beginning with fundamental principles of life, expanding to general principles of ecosystems, and then identifying specific principles of human flourishing, Lent will show how it’s possible to envisage a robust foundation on which a coherent civilizational framework could be established to set the conditions for all human beings to thrive on a healthy, vibrant planet.
Author bio
Jeremy Lent, described by Guardian journalist George Monbiot as “one of the greatest thinkers of our age,” is an author and speaker whose work investigates the underlying causes of our civilization’s existential crisis, and explores pathways toward a life-affirming future. His award-winning books, The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity’s Search for Meaning, and The Web of Meaning: Integrating Science and Traditional Wisdom to Find Our Place in the Universe, trace the historical underpinnings and flaws of the dominant worldview, and offer a foundation for an integrative worldview that could lead humanity to a flourishing future. He has written extensively about the vision of, and pathways toward, an ecological civilization and is founder of the Deep Transformation Network.
Suggested Reading
Introductory Readings
Lent – Toward an Ecological Civilization. This article, published in YES! Magazine in 2021, introduces the vision and possibilities of an ecological civilization.
Hough-Stewart – What is a well-being economy? A clearly written summary of what a well-being economy is, and how it differs from our conventional economy.
Wahl - The Three Horizons. This introduces a powerful model for understanding how system transformation relates to other levels of socio-political change.
The Earth Charter.pdf A seminal document that could serve as a moral foundation for a flourishing future for humanity on a regenerated Earth.
Deeper Dive
Eisler - Whole systems change.pdf This paper examines the history and characteristics of two major social configurations: domination and partnership.
Stewart - The direction of evolution.pdf A profound article that explores evolutionary transitions from the perspective of increasing levels of integration.
Kasser - Values and Human Wellbeing. A paper laying out a values-based strategy of moving toward greater wellbeing.
Fullerton - Regenerative Capitalism: How Universal Principles And Patterns Will Shape Our New Economy. This paper reveals how universal principles of life can shape a regenerative economy.
