In a time where we are overloaded with information, we need find a way to live a in a divided culture. Why are we divided? Where do I fit in? Where do I look for guidance?
Outline Introduction Mind Maps and the Beach Part 1: Why is Our Culture Divided? Chapter 1: The Individual and The Community What is Culture? Who Heals? The Problem of Authority The Individual vs The Crowd Chapter 2: The Human Brain Brain Scans – What Can They Really Tell Us? The Divided Brain Hierarchies: Levels of Being Top Down and/or Bottom Up A Tale of Two Brains: Men vs Women Resistance: On being wrong (Kaufman) Chapter 3: Information, Knowledge, Wisdom Information Theory (language, signaling) Criteria of Knowledge (Plato) Two types of Problems – convergent - divergent Religion (limits of knowledge, collected wisdom) Part 2: Observations of Human Societies Chapter 4: Why do Cultures Thrive and Decline? Six criteria for successful culture (Introduction) Anomie and Clarity (C.S. Lewis – Tao) Chapter 5: Natural Divisions of Societies Similarities between Ancient and Modern Cultures (3 types) Political Hierarchies (survival through organization – Maslow) Civilization vs. Tribal Cultures Civilization’s Divisions - (lower, middle, upper) Constrained vs. Unconstrained Cultures Extreme Cultures: Pragmatists vs. Idealists Chapter 6: Weaknesses of Modern Cultures Evil exists or Can we all get along? Cycles vs Progress – Is there an end of history? Preferences vs fundamental differences Modern mythologies – Utopia or Eternity? The Virtual Life – living in the future The Role of Personality and Genetics in Politics? Part 3: Building a Culture Chapter 7: Community Realities Two types of problems: (convergent, divergent) The Many Walls of the Community – three classes Chapter 8: What is the Good Life? The Purpose of the Law and Institutions Virtues, rituals, and manners Struggle and Discipline Part 4: Life of the Individual Chapter 9: Stages of Life Who Am I? Essence and Existence Acquisition, Consolidation, Reflection Language and Development Chapter 10: Autonomy Free Will or No Control? Gateway to Free Will Convention, Conviction, Contemplation Part 5: Thoughts on Transcendence Chapter 11: Philosophy Human Concepts and Divine Ideas Essence and Existence - When Does Life Begin and End? Chapter 12: Science What is Time? Heat Death of the Universe: Reality or Myth? God is Not A Unicorn: Myth & Science of Creation Part 1 Part 2: Why is There Something Rather than Nothing? Part 3: Our Modern Creation Myth aka The Big Bang Theory What’s Wrong with Complexity Theory of the Universe? Chapter 13: Reaching beyond the Veil Do We Have Souls? What Can We Know About An Immaterial Being (God -Circle) What is Hell? The Problem of Evil Love and Death