A pragmatic, reflexive approach would allow for profit as well as for self-examination -- for practical, measurable success at specific tasks as well as self-consciousness and empathy.
Using a secular version of Gandhi's non-attachment mixed with some old-fashioned apocalyptic fearmongering, Rifkin warns us that we must reach "biosphere consciousness and global empathy in time to avert planetary collapse".
He sees this as the last best hope for saving the world from environmental destruction, and concludes with the plaintive question "Can we reach biosphere consciousness and global empathy in time to avoid planetary collapse?" These are sophisticated books, which provide extensive and accessible reviews of the scholarly literature on empathy.
Can we reach biosphere consciousness and global empathy in time to avert planetary collapse?
All categories of experience are subsumed by Poetry and poetry's own experience elevates consciousness, opening into empathy.
Now, due to the global impact of our species, we must have global consciousness and practice compassion, empathy and life skills to learn how to survive in ways that ensure that others and the Earth survive as well.
But, here's the other side; and perhaps Dr. Carl Safina got it right when he asked this question in his recent TEDtalk: "Do Humans have enough: [Capacity - my add in] Consciousness, intelligence, rationality, creativity, empathy, love to let Life on Earth Survive?" I don't know if we know the answer to this question yet.
The Novo Foundation, the 1440 Foundation, and the Einhorn Family Charitable Trust have invested in evidence-based social and emotional learning programs that promote, among other things, pro-social skills development, empathy-consciousness within schools, equity-based opportunities for disenfranchised youth, and self-regulation and mindfulness practices.
The book is an extraordinary work of research and evocative empathy, in which consciousness of present effects is never allowed to trump the complexities of the past.
