The Organic worldview is an entirely new set of values, one that is in many ways the opposite of the old thinking. As in the shift from the Medieval to the mechanistic worldview, the new paradigm brings in a whole set of shocking ideas, a change in the very fundamentals of thought and values. A Values Gap that cannot stand drives the new worldview to reinvent society from top to bottom.

From its fundamental rejection of the anthropocentric universe to its respect for ecology, from new sciences and renewable energy technology—and on to cultural changes such as the Suffrage Movement, the Union Movement and the Civil Rights Movement—the Organic Worldview has a broader and more inclusive paradigm, and a broader and more inclusive set of values.

The Organic Worldview also transcends the view of present-day nationalism, believing the state of our small planet and the world to be as important as the state of our own country—that ultra-nationalism is in fact a main cause of war. Here again, the new thinking is very far apart from the old. New paradigm thinking also sees the Earth as a living being, as proved by the Gaia Hypothesis. Here again we see a nearly opposite view from the anthropocentric Mechanists. If the Earth and it's atmosphere and oceans are themselves living things, then pollution is not acceptable, nor is total exploitation of resources. This is a huge change in fundamental values.

Discussion: On the values chart, the old paradigm believes war to be an inescapable part of human nature. The new paradigm believes war can be transcended. How do you think war can finally be overcome? Discussion: Compare the Values Gap of the Medievals and the Mechanists and the current gap between the Mechanists and the Organic thinkers. What strikes you about the differences?

AMSTERDAM DECLARATION

...in addition to the threat of significant climate change, there is growing concern over the ever-increasing human modification of other aspects of the global environment and the consequent implications for human well-being.

Basic goods and services supplied by the planetary life support system, such as food, water, clean air and an environment conducive to human health, are being affected increasingly...

The Earth System behaves as a single, self-regulating system comprised of physical, chemical, biological and human components. ...The understanding of the natural dynamics of the Earth System has advanced greatly in recent years and provides a sound basis for evaluating the effects and consequences of human-driven change. ...

Earth System dynamics are characterised by critical thresholds and abrupt changes. Human activities could inadvertently trigger such changes with severe consequences for Earth's environment and inhabitants. ...

In terms of some key environmental parameters,... the nature of changes now occurring simultaneously in the Earth System, their magnitudes and rates of change are unprecedented. ...

On this basis, the international [programmes] urge governments, public and private institutions and people of the world to agree that:

An ethical framework for global stewardship and strategies for Earth System management are urgently needed. The accelerating human transformation of the Earth's environment is not sustainable. Therefore, the business-as-usual way of dealing with the Earth System is not an option...

A new system of global environmental science is required.

...It will draw strongly on the existing and expanding disciplinary base of global change science; integrate across disciplines, environment and development issues and the natural and social sciences...to build an efficient international system of global environmental science.

...

The common goal must be to develop the essential knowledge base needed to respond effectively and quickly to the great challenge...

AMSTERDAM DECLARATION

Links:

University for Peace

"Global Regeneration", by Michael Schacker

<< Previous    Next >>