Capra, Fukuyama

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La Moure 2-11-14 Human 7 Capra, Fukuyama Capra: Turning of the Tide In the chapter “The Turning of the Tide,” by Fritjof Capra, an idea known as wei-ji is introduced. The term wei-ji is derived from the original chinese way of expressing crisis. However the chinese expression of wei-ji possesses two meanings, involving the two words danger and opportunity. The crisis that Capra seems to be explaining is a description of a dangerous periodic paradigm shift that has resulted in for the first time in recorded human history, a threat of all human extinction on this planet. Capra explains that in this cultural transformation there are three transitions that have occurred. The first transition was the decline of a patriarchal framework within the family socially, and politically. The second transition is the decline of the fossil fuel age, due to economic and political struggles over fossil fuel control, as well as environmental externalities. The third is a paradigm shift is a paradigm shift, or a profound change in how we as a society think and understand reality. The changes include the belief that the scientific method is the supreme law of knowledge; the view that the universe is composed of elementary material building blocks; and the belief in unlimited material progress to be achieved through economic and technological growth. In the past, the old model was traditionally ruled by knowledge gained through religion and mysticism. The new model serves to avoid an extremely rational thinking, scientific based model of consciousness and reality. According to Marx, the roots of social evolution were deep in economic and technological growth, not ideas or values. Charles Darwin had similar ideas, but about biological evolution, emphasizing the importance of just conflict and struggle. Both views looked at an
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