biosphere-consciousness

The chapter presents biosphere consciousness as an emergent awareness of Earth's living systems as an interconnected whole, influenced by scientific and ethical perspectives.

3 chapters across 2 books

Biosphere Politics (2009)Jeremy Rifkin

CHAPTER 15: BIOSPHERE CONSCIOUSNESS IN A CLIMAX ECONOMY 1 Lovelock, James. The Ages of Gaia: A Biography of Our Living Earth . New York: Norton, 1988. p. 312. Quotation by Vladimir Vernadsky. 2 Polunin, N. “Our Use of ‘Biosphere,’ ‘Ecosystem,’ and Now ‘Ecobiome.’ ” Environmental Conservation . Vol. 11. 1984. p. 198. Serafin, Rafal. “Noosphere, Gaia, and the Science of the Biosphere.” Environmental Ethics . Vol. 10. Summer 1988. p. 125. 3 Patten, Bernard C. “Network Ecology.” In M. Higashi and T. P. Burns, eds. Theoretical Studies of Ecosystems: The Network Perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1991. 4 Capra, Fritjof. The Web of Life: A New Scientifi Understanding of Living Systems . New York: Anchor Books, 1996. pp. 34-35. 5 Ibid. p. 34. Thomas, Lewis. The Lives of a Cell . New York: Bantam, 1975. pp. 26ff, 102ff. 6 Hu, Winnie. “Gossip Girls and Boys Get Lessons in Empathy.” New York Times. April 4, 2009. 7 Ibid. 8 Gordon, Mary. Roots of Empathy . Toronto: Thomas Allen Publishers. 2005. p. 6. 9 Ibid. p. 8. 10 Ibid. p. 11. 11 Ibid. p. 78. 12 Ibid. p. xvii. 13 Gergen, Kenneth J. “Theory Under Threat: Social Construction and Identity Politics.” In Charles W Tolman, Frances Cherry, Rene Van Hezewijk, and Ian Lubek, eds. Problems of Theoretical Psychology. North York, Ontario, Canada: Captus University Publications, 1996. p. 21. 14 Bruffee, Kenneth A. Collaborative Learning: Higher Education,

Chapter 15 of Jeremy Rifkin's "Biosphere Politics" explores the emergence of biosphere consciousness within the context of a climax economy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of life systems and the evolution of empathy as a social and ecological imperative. Drawing on interdisciplinary sources from ecology, psychology, and philosophy, the chapter argues for a new collective awareness that integrates scientific understanding of the biosphere with human social dynamics, fostering collaborative learning and identity construction rooted in ecological interdependence.

Empathic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis (2009)Jeremy Rifkin

PART III - THE AGE OF EMPATHY

Part III of Jeremy Rifkin's 'The Empathic Civilization' explores the contemporary phase of human history termed 'The Age of Empathy,' focusing on the tension between growing global empathy and escalating environmental entropy. The section outlines chapters addressing humanity's climb to global peak empathy, the planetary crisis of resource depletion, the rise of distributed capitalism, the evolving social self, and the emergence of biosphere consciousness within a climax economy. The introduction and first chapter highlight the paradox of human history where increased empathic awareness has coincided with greater energy consumption and environmental degradation, posing a critical challenge for civilization's survival.

CHAPTER 15: BIOSPHERE CONSCIOUSNESS IN A CLIMAX ECONOMY

Chapter 15, "Biosphere Consciousness in a Climax Economy," explores the evolving understanding of the biosphere as a complex, interconnected living system, drawing on scientific and philosophical perspectives such as Gaia theory and network ecology. It emphasizes the development of a global consciousness rooted in empathy and ecological awareness, highlighting the psychological and social dimensions necessary for humanity to address environmental crises within the context of a climax economy. The chapter integrates interdisciplinary references to underscore the need for a biosphere-centered worldview to foster sustainable coexistence.