The Phenomenon of Man by Teilhard de Chardin
The Phenomenon of Man (1955)
by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, translated by Bernard Wall
320 pages - Harper Colophon
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a Jesuit who was also trained in geology. Among other accomplishments he developed some bold ideas about the course of evolution, though his writings and lectures earned him rebukes from the Church. This book was published after his death, as obtaining permission to publish from his order was only necessary for a living author. The book is introduced by Julian Huxley, so it seems to rest on fairly solid scientific ground. It's an attempt to observe man scientifically, as a phenomenon in the course of evolution.
It's a difficult and mostly dry book. The author outlines the history of the evolution of the universe and the world, and it's only in the last 100 pages or so that sights are set on humanity and the future, and the book becomes somewhat more dynamic. To quickly summarize the theory, the organic world developed out of the inorganic world, and humanity developed out of the organic world; humanity being the highest achievement of evolution so far, as it possesses the most consciousness, and has developed self-awareness--reflective thought--man is able not only to know, but to know that he knows. Henceforward evolution will take place primarily in the 'noosphere', an environment of thought in the same way as there is a geological environment and a biological environment. Because we are living on a sphere, and because progress occurs not in diffusion but in collision and organization, the streams of evolution will converge onto an Omega Point, where the maximum of unity with others is accompanied by the maximum of individual personality. But in the same way that the biological world was present since the beginning of time, even if it might not have been observable, the Omega Point is already present now, even though its true manifestation is at the end of space-time.
Typing out the above I can actually appreciate the scope and vision of the book more than I did while reading it. The author makes a lot of intuitive leaps, some that definitely raise an eyebrow. But I think there's an important place for his vision, especially as it's hopeful and positive, as opposed to other theories that merely see blind chance and breakdown. I'm not convinced in his specific ideas and judgments, but it is food for thought.
by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, translated by Bernard Wall
320 pages - Harper Colophon
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a Jesuit who was also trained in geology. Among other accomplishments he developed some bold ideas about the course of evolution, though his writings and lectures earned him rebukes from the Church. This book was published after his death, as obtaining permission to publish from his order was only necessary for a living author. The book is introduced by Julian Huxley, so it seems to rest on fairly solid scientific ground. It's an attempt to observe man scientifically, as a phenomenon in the course of evolution.
It's a difficult and mostly dry book. The author outlines the history of the evolution of the universe and the world, and it's only in the last 100 pages or so that sights are set on humanity and the future, and the book becomes somewhat more dynamic. To quickly summarize the theory, the organic world developed out of the inorganic world, and humanity developed out of the organic world; humanity being the highest achievement of evolution so far, as it possesses the most consciousness, and has developed self-awareness--reflective thought--man is able not only to know, but to know that he knows. Henceforward evolution will take place primarily in the 'noosphere', an environment of thought in the same way as there is a geological environment and a biological environment. Because we are living on a sphere, and because progress occurs not in diffusion but in collision and organization, the streams of evolution will converge onto an Omega Point, where the maximum of unity with others is accompanied by the maximum of individual personality. But in the same way that the biological world was present since the beginning of time, even if it might not have been observable, the Omega Point is already present now, even though its true manifestation is at the end of space-time.
Typing out the above I can actually appreciate the scope and vision of the book more than I did while reading it. The author makes a lot of intuitive leaps, some that definitely raise an eyebrow. But I think there's an important place for his vision, especially as it's hopeful and positive, as opposed to other theories that merely see blind chance and breakdown. I'm not convinced in his specific ideas and judgments, but it is food for thought.