The Knowledge Drive: Confronting Mythological BeliefsDog Ear Publishing, 2008 - 252 sivua The Knowledge Drive is an optimistic book that demonstrates how new, more accurate information conveys survival value and inevitably supplants our dysfunctional mythological beliefs. Before there was time for the accumulation of knowledge, early man created legends and religious myths to "understand" the world and ease the paralyzing awareness of his own mortality and the fear of natural forces beyond his control. We are increasingly aware of how these magical beliefs can lead to divisive religious practices, violence, and mans' continuing inhumanity to fellow man. Change is clearly needed. Now, rapid advances in many fields are giving us the techniques to modify our evolution and curtail our virulence. We can establish a more universal, equitable morality based on more accurate intelligence about our origins and place in the universe. Nevertheless, it is up to us as a species to choose our own future directions. We are thus in charge of our own destiny, a threatening thought to many. No prayers or appeals to magical forces will help. Dr. Bardon analyzes how our quest for knowledge is a basic human drive similar to the sex and nourishment drives. It arises from our survival instinct and is not based on moral or altruistic factors. Along with establishing knowledge as a source of power, the author discusses the Knowledge Drive from many other perspectives: its various motivations; the fact that it can be used for many purposes, even destructive ones; how it learns from adversity; how it often exacerbates inequality; and how it does not solve social problems unless given the necessary direction. Dr. Bardon looks at the multiple forces aligned against our efforts to obtain more reliable information. He shows how the Knowledge Drive not only triumphs over but also learns from these negative elements. Warnings about the fragility of our search for knowledge are misguided-it is rather the people mired in mythology who are vulnerable and need our compassion. |
Kirjan sisältä
Tulokset 1 - 5 kokonaismäärästä 24
Sivu 9
... discovery process . John Muir , America's famous environmentalist , expresses it thus , " I was desperately hungry and thirsty for knowledge and willing to endure anything to get it . " 1 The reasons for this variability lie in ...
... discovery process . John Muir , America's famous environmentalist , expresses it thus , " I was desperately hungry and thirsty for knowledge and willing to endure anything to get it . " 1 The reasons for this variability lie in ...
Sivu 14
... discovery of the evolution of new species is morally reprehensible to those whose religion teaches a contrary doctrine . Again , people who accept unsupportable decrees are emotionally upset by fact . The exact age of the universe is ...
... discovery of the evolution of new species is morally reprehensible to those whose religion teaches a contrary doctrine . Again , people who accept unsupportable decrees are emotionally upset by fact . The exact age of the universe is ...
Sivu 15
... discovery process , they cultivate and beguile large foreign labor pools . The world trade move- ment facilitates this process . The health field illustrates how knowledge can promote inequality . The basic tenet is that those in ...
... discovery process , they cultivate and beguile large foreign labor pools . The world trade move- ment facilitates this process . The health field illustrates how knowledge can promote inequality . The basic tenet is that those in ...
Sivu 18
... discovery . Ensconced in wealth , knowledge , control , and power , they have access to all of the advantages and the freedom to choose among them . A longer life span , improved health , public health and safety regulations , wise laws ...
... discovery . Ensconced in wealth , knowledge , control , and power , they have access to all of the advantages and the freedom to choose among them . A longer life span , improved health , public health and safety regulations , wise laws ...
Sivu 21
... discovery convey a survival advantage . Some individuals , because of different genetic structure or upbringing , are better able to survey the world , draw accurate conclusions , and act accordingly . These fortunate individuals will ...
... discovery convey a survival advantage . Some individuals , because of different genetic structure or upbringing , are better able to survey the world , draw accurate conclusions , and act accordingly . These fortunate individuals will ...
Sisältö
1 | |
35 | |
Chapter 4 | 55 |
Chapter 5 | 92 |
Chapter 8 | 106 |
Chapter 9 | 120 |
Chapter 10 | 133 |
Chapter 11 | 150 |
Chapter 12 | 161 |
Chapter 13 | 169 |
Chapter 16 | 221 |
Index | 237 |
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ability areas basic become behavior body Boorstin Carl Sagan cells ceremonies clone humans concept continue created creative culture death Demon-Haunted World desire discover discovery disease divine drugs Earth edge embryos End of Faith environment evil evolution evolutionary fear forces functioning future genes genetic God Delusion gods groups growth of knowledge Human Cloning Ibid illness immortality increasing increasingly India individuals investigation knowl Knowledge Drive knowledge growth Listening to Prozac live magical magical thinking medicine modern modify moral motivated mysteries mythological beliefs mythology myths nations Natural Selection nature neurotransmitters Newsweek paranormal patients planet population potential prayer problems progress psychiatric religion religious Richard Dawkins ritual sacrifice Sagan Sam Harris schizophrenia scientific scientists search for knowledge Section seek sexual social society space spirits Sun Chief survival techniques Thalidomide tion understanding University Press York