Introduction: The “Science, Philosophy, and Spirituality” Group
Shepway and District u3a is one of the 1000+ charities that together form u3a, formerly known as the “University of the Third Age”. It provides opportunities for those no longer in work to come together in groups and learn for fun. One such group is “Science, Philosophy, and Spirituality”: twenty-five or so people who come together once a month to learn about and explore humanity’s shared journey through science, philosophy, and spirituality, examining world history and ideas within the vast story of the universe.
The end of our second year of work seems like an appropriate time to reflect on our progress. And also, in keeping with our group’s mandate, to reflect on just what we mean by “progress”.
The Invisible Framework
As we discussed at our very first meeting in November 2022, we rarely stop to examine the invisible frameworks shaping how we see the world, but they are always there—stories, metaphors, and myths that guide our perceptions, often without our awareness. As the philosopher Mary Midgley reminds us in her book “The Myths We Live By”, myths are not detached stories or lies; they are “imaginative patterns, networks of powerful symbols that suggest particular ways of interpreting the world.” These myths, along with the metaphors and stories they underpin, shape how we think about progress, civilization, and our place in the cosmos.
Take, for instance, the myth of the machine. Rooted in the 17th century, this metaphor still pervades our thinking, leading us to see ourselves and the natural world as pieces of clockwork—mechanical entities we can master and rebuild as we see fit. From ‘genetic engineering’ to ‘building blocks of life,’ mechanistic language dominates our discourse, reinforcing linear and reductive ways of thinking.
Stories: The Way We Make Meaning
Stories are the lenses through which we make sense of our lives. They organize events into narratives, providing meaning and direction. In our u3a group, we began our first year of study by exploring the transformative power of stories and their ability to shape perceptions. One story has dominated Western thought for centuries: the “march of progress.” This tale, often presented as a straightforward journey, portrays humanity’s trajectory as a relentless climb toward improvement, powered by innovation and reason.
Yet this story, compelling as it is, reflects a particular view of the world—one that often excludes complexity, diversity, and interconnectedness. We found that when we began to question the story of “progress,” particularly its linear and Eurocentric assumptions, other possibilities for understanding humanity’s journey emerged.
Back in May 2023, when discussing Darwin’s Legacy, we encountered a striking critique of linear narratives in Henry Gee’s The Accidental Species. He writes, “If there is one lesson that science holds for us, it is this—that our special estate, based … on a progressive scheme of evolution leading to its inevitable human culmination, … is never justified.”
Gee’s insight challenges the deeply ingrained assumption that humanity is the pinnacle of evolution—a notion that mirrors the “march of progress” narrative. This belief not only distorts the complexity of evolutionary history but also reinforces the illusion that progress, whether biological or cultural, follows a single, predetermined trajectory toward greater perfection.
By framing evolution as a “progressive scheme,” we fall into the trap of viewing history—both natural and human—as a linear ascent, culminating in ourselves. This perspective diminishes the diverse and contingent pathways that life has taken and continues to take. Evolution, like progress, is better understood as a branching and interconnected process, where success is defined not by dominance but by adaptability and coexistence.
Gee’s critique resonates with the broader themes we explored in our group, particularly the inadequacy of mechanistic and linear metaphors like the road. It invites us to embrace alternative frameworks—such as the watershed—that better reflect the complexity, diversity, and interdependence inherent in both evolution and human history.
Metaphors: The Bridge Between Abstract and Concrete
Beneath every story lies metaphor, the scaffolding that makes abstract concepts tangible. The dominant metaphor for progress has long been the road—a symbol of linear movement, direction, and ultimate arrival. We speak of ‘paving the way,’ ‘moving forward,’ or encountering ‘roadblocks,’ all of which reinforce the idea that progress is a straightforward path.
But the road metaphor has its limitations. It suggests a single trajectory, ignoring the richness of alternative routes and the importance of the landscapes through which we travel. As we examined these ideas in our group, we found the road metaphor inadequate for capturing the complexities of humanity’s challenges and achievements. It seemed to reflect the mechanistic thinking of the machine myth, reducing progress to a series of engineered steps.
Myths: The Deep Structures of Meaning
If stories are the lenses and metaphors the scaffolding, myths form the deep structures of meaning that underlie them. Midgley’s insight captures this beautifully: “myths suggest particular ways of interpreting the world. The machine myth, in particular, has shaped not only how we think about progress but also how we perceive ourselves in relation to nature and each other”.
This became even clearer in our second year of study, as we explored world history from the Axial Age through to 1750 AD. We found that rejecting the traditional story of “the rise of the West” opened a more nuanced understanding of civilization. Instead of a linear ‘march of progress,’ we saw an intricate web of cultural exchanges and shared achievements. This shift mirrored the need to move beyond mechanistic myths and embrace more holistic ways of thinking.
Proposing a New Metaphor: The Watershed
Building on these insights, we suggest it’s time to rethink the dominant metaphors of progress. The road has long served as the symbol of linear, mechanistic thinking, but it no longer reflects the complexity, interdependence, and adaptability required to address 21st-century challenges.
Instead, we propose thinking of progress as a watershed. A watershed gathers and integrates, bringing together many tributaries to form a dynamic, living system. It reflects the natural flow of interconnected contributions, emphasizing adaptability and regeneration rather than rigid directionality. This metaphor aligns with the ecological realities we face today, where progress depends not on conquering the landscape but on sustaining and enriching it.
The watershed metaphor was not the product of our group’s discussions but rather a response to the questions they raised. The group’s insights—about the inadequacies of mechanistic thinking and the limits of the “rise of the West” narrative—paved the way for this shift. The group showed us what was missing; this metaphor seeks to fill that gap.
Conclusion: Toward a New Framework
The stories, metaphors, and myths we live by are not fixed; they can and must evolve. Our u3a group’s journey has been one of collective exploration, weaving together insights from scholars and our own reflections to create a new tapestry of meaning. We’ve moved beyond the narrow confines of the road and the machine to embrace the living systems represented by the watershed.
This shift is not just an intellectual exercise—it’s a necessary reimagining of how we understand progress and our responsibilities as participants in the world. We invite you to reflect on the stories, metaphors, and myths shaping your own worldview. In doing so, we can collectively begin to tell new stories, adopt new metaphors, and live by myths that align with the interconnected realities of our time.
Terry Cooke-Davies
20th December 2024
Profound thanks to ChatGPT(4o) from OpenAI for assistance with this article.
