Is a More Beautiful World Possible?

Last updated on: November 30, 2013 at 10:18 am by Chris Henrichsen

Is a More Beautiful World Possible? 2013-11-30T10:18:42-08:00 Chris Henrichsen

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I may be the problem.

In his new book The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible, Charles Eisenstein addresses the disconnect we feel in a world that focuses on wealth and individualism. An emptiness becomes apparent as we begin to crave the community and social spirit which has fallen by the wayside in the pursuit of success, power, and wealth.

Eisenstein’s narrative is a familiar one to me. What he calls “separation,” Marx called alienation. I think the value of what Eisenstein provides in this book is 21st century account of alienation. An account of alienation in the technology era, rather than the account of alienation in industrial era that Marx provided.

More directly, Eisenstein challenges our Hobbesian and Lockean ideas about the relationship of between individual and society. He is challenging our assumptions about our ideological and spiritual outlook of the world. This is what Rousseau did directly and more brutally to the ideas of Hobbes and Locke. Of course, Eisenstein does this without making mention of Hobbes (though he make a reference to “nasty, brutish, and short” on page 6), Locke, or Rousseau.

If you are a fan of Malcolm Gladwell’s books, I think you will enjoy The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible. Eisenstein makes a range of insightful observations and has an optimism that is likely needed.

Charles Eisenstein presented his main argument in this talk at TedxWhitechapel:

Now, how am I the problem? As I read his chapter on cynicism (one of the obstacles to the more beautiful world), I realized that Eisenstein was talking about me. I am skeptical of arguments like those of Eisenstein, partially because I feel that so much of it has been said before. For now, I am going to hold on to my skepticism and cynicism.

However, I do think that his argument is a valuable one. Even if it has been said before, maybe Eisenstein will be the one to get us to listen. Maybe instead of better messages, we need better messengers.

Previous Post

November 29, 2013

"Asking peace of all the world And good will to man"

Next Post

December 3, 2013 Atheism, Relativism, and Morality #rawlsreligion

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Adventures in Parenting Adventures in Sunday School American History American Political Thought American Politics American Religion Blog Admin Books Campaign Chronicles Culture Current Events Faith & Social Justice News Roundup General Conference Green Party Guest Post Guns HuffPost Live Hymns of Social Justice Independence Rock Group Las Vegas Marginalia Mormon Studies Mormonism Music Personal and Family Philosophy Political Philosophy Pop culture Queer Pioneer Week Quote of the Day Rawls Rawls and Religion Religion Social Justice Social Justice Book Club Sports Theology U.S Constitution Uncategorized Unions Video Wyoming

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: The armor of God includes the belt of truth and the breastplate of fortitude.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE