The Thoughts of We

In his new book, The New Science of Being Human, Girard takes us into the future of human consciousness. In the past, we have been able to distinguish between our animal instincts and other things that are not crucial to our survival. Our ancestors have been able to survive thanks to this line of reasoning, but in the future we will need to have a very different outlook. In The New Science of Being Human, Girard suggests that it is not enough to survive, we must also thrive, grow, and thrive in every way so that we can continue to evolve.

The book ends with a rather ominous quote by the Indian philosopher and writer Rajan Sankaracharya, who say that humans are destined for annihilation if they do not act now and begin to change. In the final analysis, Girard points out that the secret of being human is our ability to distinguish between our animal instincts and other non-other-than human motives and desires. This is the only way that we can continue to live, and if we fail to take proper care of this vital part of ourselves, we will be unable to continue to exist. How to be Less Human offers some very interesting insights into how this transformation can occur, and it is up to each individual to see what steps they can take today in order to make sure that they are doing everything possible today to preserve their humanity, even in the face of such horrific threats as the rise of global warming and the like.

The book concludes with a rather grim look at the potential consequences of climate change, and Girard draws a parallel between the imminent threat presented by climate change and the danger presented by nuclear weapons. He compares the two by pointing out that although the Red Cross cannot protect the Red Crescent from the ravages of war, the organization can provide training and assistance to communities in countries in the Middle East who are trying to deal with the devastating impact of environmental change. The book concludes with a number of important pointers to help people deal with the many different threats that are presented by environmental change today. It is an interesting look at the various ways that mankind’s role in environmental preservation can be both expanded and conserved.