In this conversation ‘Shifting Paradigms’ with Helena Norberg-Hodge and Jeremy Lent unpacks many of the assumptions and worldviews that underpin modern society’s destructive trajectory. Together, they outline worldview transformations that contribute to a vision for a more sustainable and humane future – a future that both Helena and Jeremy truly believe to be within our grasp.
Described by journalist George Monbiot as “one of the greatest thinkers of our age,” Jeremy Lent is the founder of the Liology Institute and the author of ‘The Patterning Instinct’ and, most recently, ‘The Web of Meaning’. His work investigates the underlying causes of our civilization’s existential crisis, and explores pathways toward a life-affirming future. In his own words, his work:
“has been a journey of many years, during which I dedicated myself full time to deep research in disciplines such as neuroscience, history, and anthropology, and to exploring the great traditions of Buddhism, Taoism, Neo-Confucianism, and Indigenous wisdom.”
Intro music by Gillicuddy (CC BY-NC 3.0)
In 1972, for my (now Westminster University) town and country planning diploma, I submitted a dissertation entitled ‘Diversity and flexibility as residential area objectives: an ecological perspective.’
Even now, there could be real value in academics and professionals taking up this general thread of ‘ecological principles’, and applying the thinking to other aspects of human life, including resource use, sustainability, economies, and welfare. Might UNESCO set this in train internationally?