Along with their traditional, well-traveled purposes, Axial Age religion and philosophy provide a record of the growth and development of Civilization. We can consult documents such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Tao Te Ching and even the Hebrew BIble as rich resources for understanding the human relationship with nature. For example, the book of Genesis has provided a basis for viewing human beings as, at best, the stewards of creation; at worst, the conquerors and plunderers of the earth. So, too, the Tao Te Ching considers the degree of harm human ingenuity can visit upon itself.
In this class, we will look at some key passages from the Gita, the Tao Te Ching, the book of Genesis and others, in tandem with modern analysis of social and religious movements. The goal is to illuminate these understandings in connection with the gradual emergence of what author Daniel Quinn calls "Totalitarian Agriculture" as the dominant form of human survival.
About the presenter: Sam Schindler is a teacher of history, literature, religion and world politics. Along with a few colleagues, he is currently in the process of creating an independent, progressive high school in Lancaster city. He also produces a podcast called What We Will Abide, in which he addressed systemic problems in our civilization and profiles people and institutions who offer local and communal solutions. He's married to a writer who works in higher education. They have two children, ages 7 and 4.
| Totalitarian Agriculture and the traditions of the Axial Age | $20.00 |