the space of representation
DESCRIPTION
Active Nonviolence - The Psychology of New HumanismTRANSCRIPT
The Space of Representation in the Non Violent Revolution
Psychology of New HumanismSilvia Swinden
The Space of Representation in the Non Violent Revolution
Psychology of New HumanismSilvia Swinden
Presentation based on a chapter of the book From Monkey Sapiens to Homo
Intentional, The Phenomenology of the Non
Violent Revolution
Presentation based on a chapter of the book From Monkey Sapiens to Homo
Intentional, The Phenomenology of the Non
Violent Revolution
London
Oct-06
London
Oct-06
IntroductionIntroduction
• The development of the concept of Space of Representation is one of the most original and revolutionary contributions that Silo has made in the field of Psychology
• It can help us understand the fallacy of trying to produce social
changes without producing deep changes in ourselves (and vice versa)
• E.g.: Both the French as the Bolshevik Revolutions tried to alter
the social order but the scheme of power already imprinted in people reproduced itself in the new order. Some went as far as to declare such order “natural” (Adam Smith and others)
• In our days many still speak of a supposed “Human Nature”,
fixed and unchangeable (aggression, greed, selfishness, hierarchies), denying that the only natural thing in the Human being is the capacity to choose and to change
• The development of the concept of Space of Representation is one of the most original and revolutionary contributions that Silo has made in the field of Psychology
• It can help us understand the fallacy of trying to produce social
changes without producing deep changes in ourselves (and vice versa)
• E.g.: Both the French as the Bolshevik Revolutions tried to alter
the social order but the scheme of power already imprinted in people reproduced itself in the new order. Some went as far as to declare such order “natural” (Adam Smith and others)
• In our days many still speak of a supposed “Human Nature”,
fixed and unchangeable (aggression, greed, selfishness, hierarchies), denying that the only natural thing in the Human being is the capacity to choose and to change
Description of the space of representation
Description of the space of representation
• With eyes closed :
• We perceive a three-dimensional space,
• we can represent our hand
moving in all directions • we can represent images that
originate in anyone of the external or internal senses.
• With eyes closed :
• We perceive a three-dimensional space,
• we can represent our hand
moving in all directions • we can represent images that
originate in anyone of the external or internal senses.
• When we open our eyes, it looks as if this space disappears and that we see the “real” world
• but it is still possible to imagine that there is “something” behind a door, so real that it can produce fear
• When we open our eyes, it looks as if this space disappears and that we see the “real” world
• but it is still possible to imagine that there is “something” behind a door, so real that it can produce fear
We can also “see” in others intentions, moods, etc. that are just in our imagination and although in theory this space ends where our body ends, we can represent in it the whole universe
We can also “see” in others intentions, moods, etc. that are just in our imagination and although in theory this space ends where our body ends, we can represent in it the whole universe
The S of R is not an empty container The S of R is not an empty container • Rather it is the representation of the
space associated to the contents of our consciousness
• In our habitual state of wakefulness we perceive mainly the space that surrounds us
• This gives the “form” to the S of R • For that reason we register different
sensations when we are sitting inside an igloo or in a cathedral
• Rather it is the representation of the space associated to the contents of our consciousness
• In our habitual state of wakefulness we perceive mainly the space that surrounds us
• This gives the “form” to the S of R • For that reason we register different
sensations when we are sitting inside an igloo or in a cathedral
Neither is it a passive containerNeither is it a passive container
• It is the ambit where the consciousness carries out many of its operations, all those related to images
• Husserl (phenomenological school), had already stated that our consciousness, always consciousness of something, is not a simple container of psychic “facts”, neither is it a mirror that passively reflects, or deforms, the external reality; our consciousness is intentional, active, and it possesses its own way of structuring sensations and of building “realities” (Intentionality)
• Silo: “Human Beings are historical beings whose form of social action changes their own nature”: Intentionality is seen in this way as the means to go from determinism towards freedom
•
• It is the ambit where the consciousness carries out many of its operations, all those related to images
• Husserl (phenomenological school), had already stated that our consciousness, always consciousness of something, is not a simple container of psychic “facts”, neither is it a mirror that passively reflects, or deforms, the external reality; our consciousness is intentional, active, and it possesses its own way of structuring sensations and of building “realities” (Intentionality)
• Silo: “Human Beings are historical beings whose form of social action changes their own nature”: Intentionality is seen in this way as the means to go from determinism towards freedom
•
The Space of Representation’s contentsThe Space of Representation’s contents
1. Translation of impulses from the inner-body
• Stomach acidity can appear represented in a dream as fire,
• and when we feel thirsty the image of a
bottle of water appears
1. Translation of impulses from the inner-body
• Stomach acidity can appear represented in a dream as fire,
• and when we feel thirsty the image of a
bottle of water appears
2. Our psychological world and the times of the consciousness
• Memories from the past, present
sensations
• and images of the future,
aspirations, fears, values, etc.
2. Our psychological world and the times of the consciousness
• Memories from the past, present
sensations
• and images of the future,
aspirations, fears, values, etc.
3. The physical world
• The space of representation appears
illuminated “at the top” and darker “at the bottom”.
• When navigating in it we find images of
the high, medium and low spaces that are translations of sensations,
• allegorised and positioned according to
data from memory, that correspond to our experiences of the “real” physical world
3. The physical world
• The space of representation appears
illuminated “at the top” and darker “at the bottom”.
• When navigating in it we find images of
the high, medium and low spaces that are translations of sensations,
• allegorised and positioned according to
data from memory, that correspond to our experiences of the “real” physical world
4. The social world
• The class system
• social values,
• our heroes and villains,
• the power structures,
etc.
4. The social world
• The class system
• social values,
• our heroes and villains,
• the power structures,
etc.
5. The spiritual world
• God(s), angels, guides,
the Light, “above.”
• Malicious spirits, devils,
hell, “below.”
5. The spiritual world
• God(s), angels, guides,
the Light, “above.”
• Malicious spirits, devils,
hell, “below.”
Ancient ChinaAncient China
• Here is a “map” related to the circulation of energy used in the Tao and Qigong
• They called it “internal
landscape”
• Here is a “map” related to the circulation of energy used in the Tao and Qigong
• They called it “internal
landscape”
The inner look in the social worldThe inner look in the social world
“…because all representations of the “heights” extend from eye level upward, above the normal line of sight.
And the “higher-ups” are those who “possess” kindness, wisdom, and strength.
There, in the “heights” above, we also find the hierarchies, the powers that be, and the flags of State.
And we, ordinary mortals, must at all costs “ascend” the social ladder in order to draw closer to power.
“…because all representations of the “heights” extend from eye level upward, above the normal line of sight.
And the “higher-ups” are those who “possess” kindness, wisdom, and strength.
There, in the “heights” above, we also find the hierarchies, the powers that be, and the flags of State.
And we, ordinary mortals, must at all costs “ascend” the social ladder in order to draw closer to power.
What a sorry state we are in, still governed by these mechanisms, which coincide with our internal representation
in which our heads are in the “heights” and our feet stuck on the ground.
What an un happy state we are in, when we believe in these things, and believe in them because they have their own “reality” in our internal representation.
What a sorry state we are in, when our external look is nothing but an un-acknowledged projection of the internal.
What a sorry state we are in, still governed by these mechanisms, which coincide with our internal representation
in which our heads are in the “heights” and our feet stuck on the ground.
What an un happy state we are in, when we believe in these things, and believe in them because they have their own “reality” in our internal representation.
What a sorry state we are in, when our external look is nothing but an un-acknowledged projection of the internal.
From Humanise the Earth, by Silo
The inhabitants of one area “lend”
each other attributes
The inhabitants of one area “lend”
each other attributes
Demons, “dark motives”, the “id”, deshumanización
Gods, angels, kings, movie “stars”, pop “ídols”,
the aristocracy, etc.
• This very British game of Snakes and Ladders reminds us of the biblical allegory of Man’s “fall” due to the snake
• This very British game of Snakes and Ladders reminds us of the biblical allegory of Man’s “fall” due to the snake
Images in the S of RImages in the S of R• Substratum of the representation, which may come from
anyone of the external or internal senses • Sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell • Coenaesthesia, kinaesthesia, etc • Images connect the internal and external spaces
(Perception/Representation) and transfer energy charges. Without images there is no action (*)
• They produce tensions, relaxations and adjustments, both
related to changes in the images (conversion of images), and to changes in their position in the space of representation (e.g myths and fairy tales: Beauty & the Beast, the Frog/Prince and Cinderella)
• (See Psychology of the image, Contributions to Thought, by Silo)
• Substratum of the representation, which may come from anyone of the external or internal senses
• Sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell • Coenaesthesia, kinaesthesia, etc • Images connect the internal and external spaces
(Perception/Representation) and transfer energy charges. Without images there is no action (*)
• They produce tensions, relaxations and adjustments, both
related to changes in the images (conversion of images), and to changes in their position in the space of representation (e.g myths and fairy tales: Beauty & the Beast, the Frog/Prince and Cinderella)
• (See Psychology of the image, Contributions to Thought, by Silo)
(*) Without images there is no action(*) Without images there is no action
• Hunger: there is no movement
• Image: sandwich in the fridge
• The body, moved by the image, goes toward the sandwich
• Resolved need
• Hunger: there is no movement
• Image: sandwich in the fridge
• The body, moved by the image, goes toward the sandwich
• Resolved need
• Something similar happens with the social world
• Violence, dehumanisation, injustice, non-meaning
• Image of a better world (Ideals, Utopias, Dreams) – The impulse of wanting to escape suffering
is not enough, we need an image of something better to go towards.
– On the other hand Pragmatism goes with what is already given
• Working for change – (a little slower and more and complicated
than the thing with the sandwich)
• A Humanised world
• Something similar happens with the social world
• Violence, dehumanisation, injustice, non-meaning
• Image of a better world (Ideals, Utopias, Dreams) – The impulse of wanting to escape suffering
is not enough, we need an image of something better to go towards.
– On the other hand Pragmatism goes with what is already given
• Working for change – (a little slower and more and complicated
than the thing with the sandwich)
• A Humanised world
Mobility of images in the S of R. E.g.: Cyrano of Bergerac
Mobility of images in the S of R. E.g.: Cyrano of Bergerac
• He wrote science fiction in the XVII century
• In his trip to the moon he finds that its
inhabitants measure their intelligence by the length of their noses
• They also point them to the sun and look at
the time on their teeth
• Cyrano improves de value of his (ugly) nose
by placing it in the high plane of his S of R and connecting it to the sun and intelligence
• He wrote science fiction in the XVII century
• In his trip to the moon he finds that its
inhabitants measure their intelligence by the length of their noses
• They also point them to the sun and look at
the time on their teeth
• Cyrano improves de value of his (ugly) nose
by placing it in the high plane of his S of R and connecting it to the sun and intelligence
and the conversion of imagesand the conversion of images
• The students of magic are made to face the Boggart, a being capable of embodying their worst fears
• They are taught to transform those images by ridiculing them
• For example, a huge spider gets rolling skates added to all its
legs so it becomes completely destabilised
• A threatening looking male teacher is dressed as a woman
• See: Conversion of images, Relaxation Course, Self liberation, by Luis
Ammann
• The students of magic are made to face the Boggart, a being capable of embodying their worst fears
• They are taught to transform those images by ridiculing them
• For example, a huge spider gets rolling skates added to all its
legs so it becomes completely destabilised
• A threatening looking male teacher is dressed as a woman
• See: Conversion of images, Relaxation Course, Self liberation, by Luis
Ammann
The S of R and language The S of R and language
• All human activity: • religion and morality, • one’s career, psychology, • politics, the social classes, • the economy, trade unions, • art, education, etc. • have their correlate in the
Space of Representation• Change is not possible without
an internal, intentional, change of the images that move us
• All human activity: • religion and morality, • one’s career, psychology, • politics, the social classes, • the economy, trade unions, • art, education, etc. • have their correlate in the
Space of Representation• Change is not possible without
an internal, intentional, change of the images that move us
• To get to the “top” • Movie “stars” • The “upper” Class • The “gurus” of the “free”
market economy• The rock “idols” • “Elevated” aspirations
• The “decadence” • The “fallen” woman• Those “base” instincts • The “depths” of depression • The “lowers” Class• The “bottom” of the mind
• To get to the “top” • Movie “stars” • The “upper” Class • The “gurus” of the “free”
market economy• The rock “idols” • “Elevated” aspirations
• The “decadence” • The “fallen” woman• Those “base” instincts • The “depths” of depression • The “lowers” Class• The “bottom” of the mind
Money as the central value in the “Free” Market Economy
Money as the central value in the “Free” Market Economy
• “I know that the money can't buy me happiness but I like the way it manages to imitate it”
• (Manolito, character of “Mafalda”, by Quino)
• “I only ask for the opportunity to prove that money
cannot make me happy” • (Spike Milligan, British comedian)
• According to the Neoliberal dogma wealth accumulates
“at the top”: concentration in the hands of the more “capable” (social Darwinism, zoological vision of the Human Being) and from there it should “trickle down” for everybody else’s benefit
• “I know that the money can't buy me happiness but I like the way it manages to imitate it”
• (Manolito, character of “Mafalda”, by Quino)
• “I only ask for the opportunity to prove that money
cannot make me happy” • (Spike Milligan, British comedian)
• According to the Neoliberal dogma wealth accumulates
“at the top”: concentration in the hands of the more “capable” (social Darwinism, zoological vision of the Human Being) and from there it should “trickle down” for everybody else’s benefit
In RealityIn Reality
• Wealth remains “at the top” through speculation, concentration, “vulture funds” (*), investment in objects that confer status and access to “famous” or “important” people's company
• For those waiting in vain “for the trickle down” wealth must
appear as the first element capable of defying gravity! ; -)
• * Vultures Funds from “developed” countries buy the
debts that poor countries cannot repay, e.g., to the IMF, and sue them in courts in the USA, the United Kingdom and France (with specialised lawyers that earn millions), the payments come out of loans for development
• Wealth remains “at the top” through speculation, concentration, “vulture funds” (*), investment in objects that confer status and access to “famous” or “important” people's company
• For those waiting in vain “for the trickle down” wealth must
appear as the first element capable of defying gravity! ; -)
• * Vultures Funds from “developed” countries buy the
debts that poor countries cannot repay, e.g., to the IMF, and sue them in courts in the USA, the United Kingdom and France (with specialised lawyers that earn millions), the payments come out of loans for development
Geographically “up” and “down” also correspond approximately to the situation of the countries of the G8
and the poor countries of the southern hemisphere
Geographically “up” and “down” also correspond approximately to the situation of the countries of the G8
and the poor countries of the southern hemisphere
• Mafalda turns the World upside down
• So that Argentina, in the southern
hemisphere, does not appear “down”
• Which she identifies with being
“underdeveloped”
• This is an interesting exercise of
Mobility of Images for change in social and political schemes
• Mafalda turns the World upside down
• So that Argentina, in the southern
hemisphere, does not appear “down”
• Which she identifies with being
“underdeveloped”
• This is an interesting exercise of
Mobility of Images for change in social and political schemes
Religions and the S of RReligions and the S of R
• Patriarchal and Hierarchical Religions, Middle Ages view
• Patriarchal and Hierarchical Religions, Middle Ages view
• Cult of Mother Earth and Nature
• Cult of Mother Earth and Nature
God
Man
Woman
Sex
Devil
Flatter hierarchies and a more friendly attitude
towards sex and the body
Priests
King
Images and Levels of ConsciousnessImages and Levels of Consciousness• Sleep • Maximum suggestibility • Impulses are translated to
protect the level – Eg: tingling in an arm due to bad
position is translated as an image of insects that make us change the position of the arm without waking up
• Semi-sleep • High sugestibilidad • Compensatory dreams
– Those without a home fantasise about palaces, and the hungry dream of banquets
• Ideal level for sexual activity
• Sleep • Maximum suggestibility • Impulses are translated to
protect the level – Eg: tingling in an arm due to bad
position is translated as an image of insects that make us change the position of the arm without waking up
• Semi-sleep • High sugestibilidad • Compensatory dreams
– Those without a home fantasise about palaces, and the hungry dream of banquets
• Ideal level for sexual activity
• Wakefulness
• Level for work or study
• Low suggestibility
• Attention to the object
• Consciousness of self
• Maximum attention and intentional level
• Attention both to the object
• and to the mechanisms of consciousness in action – I realise I am observing this or that
object and that I react in this or that way, which allows me to carry out intentional changes in the way I look
• Wakefulness
• Level for work or study
• Low suggestibility
• Attention to the object
• Consciousness of self
• Maximum attention and intentional level
• Attention both to the object
• and to the mechanisms of consciousness in action – I realise I am observing this or that
object and that I react in this or that way, which allows me to carry out intentional changes in the way I look
BUY!
Vote for me, I shall
make your
dreams come true
• Advertising tries to bring us into semi-sleep with sexual images or what will make the announcement more “sexy” (power, pleasure, freedom, wealth, youth, even spiritual objects of consumption!) to increase its suggestibility
• This is now also the case for politics since
parties hire for their campaigns advertising agencies and “spin doctors” that build an image of what we should believe to be reality (like in the film “The Matrix”)
• To differentiate Information from Propaganda we should elevate our level of consciousness
• Advertising tries to bring us into semi-sleep with sexual images or what will make the announcement more “sexy” (power, pleasure, freedom, wealth, youth, even spiritual objects of consumption!) to increase its suggestibility
• This is now also the case for politics since
parties hire for their campaigns advertising agencies and “spin doctors” that build an image of what we should believe to be reality (like in the film “The Matrix”)
• To differentiate Information from Propaganda we should elevate our level of consciousness
• The brain reacts more to what it believes to be reality • than to the stimuli presented to the senses. • If, for instance, a black and white image is presented to the
eyes • and the subject is hypnotised, so that he/she believes that it is
an image in colour, • the part of the brain that “lights up” (the area that perceives the
sensation) in a very sensitive scan • is the one related to the perception of colour
• The brain reacts more to what it believes to be reality • than to the stimuli presented to the senses. • If, for instance, a black and white image is presented to the
eyes • and the subject is hypnotised, so that he/she believes that it is
an image in colour, • the part of the brain that “lights up” (the area that perceives the
sensation) in a very sensitive scan • is the one related to the perception of colour
“Reality” and Belief“Reality” and Belief
• The placebo effect can be very powerful, it can even produce side effects
• It has to do with the cultural meaning of the treatment (Beliefs = the more information, the smaller the effect!).
• Four placebo pills are more effective than two to eradicate gastric ulcers
• The injection of a saline solution is more effective in treating pain than sugar pills, due to being a more dramatic intervention.
• The most powerful placebos are: • the tiniest pill (which suggests a very potent drug) • or the biggest (suggests a large quantity of drug) • The colour of the pill also changes the power of the placebo
and the type of action, according to the illness
• The placebo effect can be very powerful, it can even produce side effects
• It has to do with the cultural meaning of the treatment (Beliefs = the more information, the smaller the effect!).
• Four placebo pills are more effective than two to eradicate gastric ulcers
• The injection of a saline solution is more effective in treating pain than sugar pills, due to being a more dramatic intervention.
• The most powerful placebos are: • the tiniest pill (which suggests a very potent drug) • or the biggest (suggests a large quantity of drug) • The colour of the pill also changes the power of the placebo
and the type of action, according to the illness
PlacebosPlacebos
Self Image (Beliefs about oneself)
Self Image (Beliefs about oneself)
• A lack of self-esteem appears consistently in psychological studies among the roots of violent behaviour
• Jane Elliot, a teacher in USA, demonstrated with her
experiment “Blue eyes and brown eyes” that discrimination leads to a low self-esteem and that this affects the students' capacity and performance
• She destroyed in this way the racist myth of differences in IQ
among different ethnic groups (she was inspired by ML King)
• And confirmed that encouragement is better than criticism both
at schools and at home
• A lack of self-esteem appears consistently in psychological studies among the roots of violent behaviour
• Jane Elliot, a teacher in USA, demonstrated with her
experiment “Blue eyes and brown eyes” that discrimination leads to a low self-esteem and that this affects the students' capacity and performance
• She destroyed in this way the racist myth of differences in IQ
among different ethnic groups (she was inspired by ML King)
• And confirmed that encouragement is better than criticism both
at schools and at home
The belief that the oppressor's destruction produces social change
(resentment and vengeance)…
The belief that the oppressor's destruction produces social change
(resentment and vengeance)…
• E.g.: The Spanish Civil War song: “When will the day come that the omelette turns upside down, that poor people eat bread and the rich eat shit”
• E.g.: The French revolution (again)
• E.g.: The Spanish Civil War song: “When will the day come that the omelette turns upside down, that poor people eat bread and the rich eat shit”
• E.g.: The French revolution (again)
…generates more violence, dehumanisation (civilian’s deaths referred to as “collateral damage”)
and the powerful becoming stronger
…generates more violence, dehumanisation (civilian’s deaths referred to as “collateral damage”)
and the powerful becoming stronger
The RenaissanceA revolution (almost) without violence
The RenaissanceA revolution (almost) without violence
• Changes in the Human Being's position in relation to God, Nature, the Universe, political and religious power, science and knowledge, etc,
• Together with changes in the relative position of the sun, the earth and the planets, even for some, the shape of the planet
• allowed a deeper renovation than anyone achieved through acts of violence
• The Renaissance created a "human" look, by means of the arts (Leonardo, Michelangelo) a new religiosity (Erasmus, Bruno), the study of the humanities (Petrarca) and sciences (Bacon, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler) emerging from the human being's medieval concept of being-for-God. (Pico de la Mirandola)
• Changes in the Human Being's position in relation to God, Nature, the Universe, political and religious power, science and knowledge, etc,
• Together with changes in the relative position of the sun, the earth and the planets, even for some, the shape of the planet
• allowed a deeper renovation than anyone achieved through acts of violence
• The Renaissance created a "human" look, by means of the arts (Leonardo, Michelangelo) a new religiosity (Erasmus, Bruno), the study of the humanities (Petrarca) and sciences (Bacon, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler) emerging from the human being's medieval concept of being-for-God. (Pico de la Mirandola)
The space of representation in the non-violent revolutionThe space of representation in the non-violent revolution
PeoplePeople
“Nothing above the Human being, and no Human being
above (or bellow) another”. Silo
“Nothing above the Human being, and no Human being
above (or bellow) another”. Silo
MoneyMoney
• A change in the relative location in our minds, in education, in TV and at home, to make the Human being, and not money, or power, the central value
• A change in the relative location in our minds, in education, in TV and at home, to make the Human being, and not money, or power, the central value
The “Other”The “Other”• In Charity and NGOs work the “donor” is
often positioned above the “recipient”
• The image of those in need can be
dehumanising (e.g., extreme poverty, malnutrition, AIDS), and this also puts them in a different positioning in the S of R
• Recognising the Intentionality of the Other
puts us in the same plane, in a relationship of co-operation and reciprocity
• In Charity and NGOs work the “donor” is often positioned above the “recipient”
• The image of those in need can be
dehumanising (e.g., extreme poverty, malnutrition, AIDS), and this also puts them in a different positioning in the S of R
• Recognising the Intentionality of the Other
puts us in the same plane, in a relationship of co-operation and reciprocity
The Psychology of New HumanismThe Psychology of New Humanism
• Contributes to the non-violent revolution by making us more aware of the register of other people's pain created in us by the image in our S of R of what is happening to them, which is acting on our own body
• The Human being of the future will rebel
against violence not just as “an idea” but rather they will feel physical revulsion in front of it
• Exactly the opposite of violence as
entertainment (dehumanisation), from the Roman Circus to the video game
• Contributes to the non-violent revolution by making us more aware of the register of other people's pain created in us by the image in our S of R of what is happening to them, which is acting on our own body
• The Human being of the future will rebel
against violence not just as “an idea” but rather they will feel physical revulsion in front of it
• Exactly the opposite of violence as
entertainment (dehumanisation), from the Roman Circus to the video game
ReconciliationReconciliation
* Reconciliation as a profound spiritual experience, Silo, Punta de Vacas 5/5/07
• It doesn't require that anybody puts him/herself above or below another (as when we ask for forgiveness (*)
• It contemplates the “enemy” as a being with hopes and
frustrations, just like us
• It opens the future toward non-violent conflict resolution
and toward a society for all, without resentment or justification of violence for the sake of revenge
• We have the tools effect this reconciliation by means of
the work with images in the S of R, with education for Non-violence and promoting social justice
• It doesn't require that anybody puts him/herself above or below another (as when we ask for forgiveness (*)
• It contemplates the “enemy” as a being with hopes and
frustrations, just like us
• It opens the future toward non-violent conflict resolution
and toward a society for all, without resentment or justification of violence for the sake of revenge
• We have the tools effect this reconciliation by means of
the work with images in the S of R, with education for Non-violence and promoting social justice
You are here
The Human being was left in a peripheral position, minuscule in the cosmos and
observed as any other research “object”
The Human being was left in a peripheral position, minuscule in the cosmos and
observed as any other research “object”
The Post-Postmodern Re-RenaissanceThe Post-Postmodern Re-Renaissance
• What is new at this time (as new images of the world led to the Renaissance) that allows us to believe that this is the moment of the Nonviolent Revolution, when Human Beings leave their violent Pre-history and enter their fully human History?
1. The way we understand the physical world is changing again, and with it, our look
2. New paradigms of Time and Space, Matter and Energy:
Relativity and Quantum Mechanics
the structural interconnection of everything
3. A new view of non lineal processes
Chaos Theory (the end of the determinism)
• What is new at this time (as new images of the world led to the Renaissance) that allows us to believe that this is the moment of the Nonviolent Revolution, when Human Beings leave their violent Pre-history and enter their fully human History?
1. The way we understand the physical world is changing again, and with it, our look
2. New paradigms of Time and Space, Matter and Energy:
Relativity and Quantum Mechanics
the structural interconnection of everything
3. A new view of non lineal processes
Chaos Theory (the end of the determinism)
4. The Anthropic Principle
This Universe is so unbelievably improbable that:
If it were any other way and
if it didn't have an “intention” toward the development of consciousness,
we would not be here to observe it
5. The Observer as part of the Observation
Cezanne
The quantum investigations
We centre ourselves again on the Human Being
4. The Anthropic Principle
This Universe is so unbelievably improbable that:
If it were any other way and
if it didn't have an “intention” toward the development of consciousness,
we would not be here to observe it
5. The Observer as part of the Observation
Cezanne
The quantum investigations
We centre ourselves again on the Human Being
6. The Women's Paradox:
The fight for equality to earn the right to contribute what’s different
From a male vision to a male/female one (similar to binocular vision, that allows to have depth)
7. A New Spirituality
Open to believers and non believers, based on experience
8. Technology: Internet, air travel, TV, telecommunications
The end of genetic determinism (creation of artificial life)
9. Planetarisation: different from Globalization
convergence of diversity: First planetary civilization
Threats to the whole: The environment and nuclear weapons
10. An Evolutionary Psychology of Nonviolence:
Homo Intentional
6. The Women's Paradox:
The fight for equality to earn the right to contribute what’s different
From a male vision to a male/female one (similar to binocular vision, that allows to have depth)
7. A New Spirituality
Open to believers and non believers, based on experience
8. Technology: Internet, air travel, TV, telecommunications
The end of genetic determinism (creation of artificial life)
9. Planetarisation: different from Globalization
convergence of diversity: First planetary civilization
Threats to the whole: The environment and nuclear weapons
10. An Evolutionary Psychology of Nonviolence:
Homo Intentional
In SumIn Sum
• The Non-Violent Revolution, first proposed by Gandhi and taken to worldwide level by Silo, includes social and personal changes. Non violence is at the same time objective and methodology, therefore it is of great coherence
• The necessary psycho-social work to change our images is not just for the specialists, we all have the capacity to observe ourselves and to make intentional changes.
• There is no “before” or “after” in social change in relation to the existential/spiritual one but rather they are both part of the same process of structural transformation (Like in a Moebius strip)
• The Non-Violent Revolution, first proposed by Gandhi and taken to worldwide level by Silo, includes social and personal changes. Non violence is at the same time objective and methodology, therefore it is of great coherence
• The necessary psycho-social work to change our images is not just for the specialists, we all have the capacity to observe ourselves and to make intentional changes.
• There is no “before” or “after” in social change in relation to the existential/spiritual one but rather they are both part of the same process of structural transformation (Like in a Moebius strip)