Sustainable History and the Dignity of Man

Synopsis: Sustainable History and the Dignity of Man is a new philosophy of history. This volume outlines how sustainable history is propelled by good governance, which balances the tension between the attributes of human nature - emotionality, amorality and egoisms - and human dignity needs, such as reason, security, human rights, accountability, transparency, justice, opportunity, innovation and inclusiveness. The author proposes minimum criteria for good governance that are sensitive to local cultures and histories but meet certain common global values to ensure maximum and sustainable moral and political cooperation. Using an ocean model of a single collective human civilisation, the author argues that we should think in terms of a common human story that is comprised of multiple geo-cultural domains and sub-cultures with a history of mutual borrowing and synergies. The author argues that, today, all geo-cultural domains must succeed if humanity as a whole is to triumph. This collective triumph will also depend on reason and a recognition that a great deal of knowledge is indeterminate and may be temporally, spatially and perhaps culturally constrained, as is outlined in the author's new theory of knowledge: "Neuro-rational Physicalism".

 

Dr. Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan is Senior Scholar in Geostrategy and Director of the Programme on the Geopolitical Implications of Globalisation and Transnational Security at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Geneva, Switzerland.

This book weighs a whopping 3 pounds! Yes it is intimidating from the onset, but you will ease into it.  It has a lot of amazing information/ideas and is separated in sections to make it easier for a reader, even one who is new to this type of genre. The first section is a review and/or introduction to various theories and references to a book we recently reviewed called Emotional Amoral Egoism.  The second section is distinctly different.  Dr. Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan believes we can create a justice for all type of existence.  As the world is now, justice for all in the world is a Miss America dream.  If we are relying on his theory from Emotional Amoral Egoism, we realize that this happens because of humans being self-fulfilling.  Some countries rely on 'justice' by killing without thinking - how is this really called justice?  Finally he focuses on the scientific part of things, which is the authors specialty! He discusses ideas such as gene therapy and nanotechnology.   Big ideas for such a small world! Be sure to check out his website.  I highly recommend this book for philosophy, history, and science people!