Issue: Cultural evolution

From Pythagoras to Particle Physics: Understanding and Questioning Western Intellectual History

Explore the intricate evolution of Western intellectual history in this 14-module seminar series turned article, ‘From Pythagoras to Particle Physics: A Journey through Western Thought.’ Discover how ancient Greek philosophy laid the bedrock for modern scientific inquiry, ethical frameworks, and democratic governance. Dive into pivotal moments in history, from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, and examine the challenges and opportunities posed by the Anthropocene epoch. This comprehensive overview offers thought-provoking insights into how the West’s intellectual trajectory has shaped our world, and critically assesses the future of democracy in light of emerging philosophical perspectives and real-world governance innovations.

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The Better Angels of Our Nature: The Decline of Violence In History And Its Causes

Wasn’t the twentieth century the most violent in history? In his extraordinary, epic book Steven Pinker shows us that this is wrong, telling the story of humanity in a completely new and unfamiliar way. From why cities make us safer to how books bring about peace, Pinker weaves together history, philosophy and science to examine why we are less likely to die at another’s hand than ever before, how it happened and what it tells us about our very natures. – amazon.co.uk

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Science Alone Won’t Save Us

Science is creating new vaccines and better ways of treating Covid-19. But vaccine nationalism, distrust of the vaccine, and maverick political leaders in pandemic hotspots aren’t helping.

These are barriers that cannot be overcome by science. They are social problems originating and promulgated in the minds of human beings. And that is where they must be resolved if we are to prevail in the current global struggle between homo sapiens and the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion.

In The Righteous Mind, psychologist Jonathan Haidt answers some of the most compelling questions about human relationships:

Why can it sometimes feel as though half the population is living in a different moral universe? Why do ideas such as ‘fairness’ and ‘freedom’ mean such different things to different people? Why is it so hard to see things from another viewpoint? Why do we come to blows over politics and religion? — Amazon.co.uk

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