Activation Of Energy by Chardin, Pierre Teilhard de - 1975

New York U. S. A.: Harvest /HBJ Book Harcourt Brace. As New 1975. Softcover. Marfree, NrFine later prtg as shown w/ index; slight R cov stain, no names, not marked-in, underscored, clearance or discard. Mails from NYC usually within 12 hours.; Helen & Kurt Wolff Book; 0.95 x 7.99 x 5.38 Inches; 416 pages; Christianity within the bounds of Evolution, Jan 27, 2002By Eddie Napier (Chicago) - Chardin takes us through an ontological "proof" of his theory of man. By assigning to humanity the same laws that are assigned to the rest of the universe, Chardin levels the playing field between the exclusivity of matter and spirit. He describes the ascent of life into humanity, and posits that if the same essential rule of the universe applies in the future as it does today, that there is an Omega point for humanity. This Omega point is based upon the supposition that complexity and conciousness are directly related, and that life is constantly evolving to favor the more complex, more centered life. At this Omega point, humanity will cease to function as a collection of units, and each individual will place the whole above itself, as cells do to their parent organism.It is interesting to note that many of the more recent authors of technological evangelism borrow from the ideas of Chardin. For example, Richard Dawkins, in his vain attempt to mask sociology as biology, posited the existance of "Memes". Dawkins controversial work has inspired many conversations, as it attributes qualities previously regarded as solely human, to ideas, or memes. Matching discreet biology to sociology is somehow "magically" performed in Dawkins analysis. Chardin's superior logic, pre-dating Dawkin's misinterperation, notes that rather than looking at memes and meme-groups as direct results of evolutionary pressure, they are instead relegated to a portion of the conciousness of the universe, no more in combat with each other than a liver cell is in combat with a nerve cell.While the more scientifically-oriented Dawkins concerns himself with observed statistical behavior, stating that it is a result of evolution, Chardin addresses the elephant in the living room, the unmoved mover of evolution.Chardin wrote all this years before computers took thier ascendance as the main form of communication in developed countries. It's intersting to note that among respective futurist subcultures, the Satanic and atheist subcultures have adopted Dawkins as one of their pets, (likely against his will) while Chardin spends inordinant amounts of time weaving Christianity into his theories, making assumptions about Christianity by view of his all-embracing evolution of mankind, but never leaning on the faith of Christians to prop his theory up.To this reader, the bottom line is that if I'm going to read something written by someone an order of magnitude more intelligent, I ought to be sure the message that is being sent is one I want to receive. Chardin proposes an idea that can't help but grow, cannot be dis-proved, contains both an emotional/logically appropriate response to both the pleasures and pains of the world. He absorbs Dawkins, before there was a Dawkins, Chardin had already superceded him.Enough of my predudice, please, check out Chardin and Dawkins and form your own immutable opinions. .