Learning About the Universe and Learning How to Create Civilization

Abstract

Two great problems of learning confront humanity: learning about the nature of the universe and about ourselves and other living things as a part of the universe, and learning how to become civilized. The first problem was solved, in essence, in the 17th century, with the creation of modern science. But the second problem has not yet been solved. Solving the first problem without also solving the second puts us in a situation of great danger. All our current global problems have arisen as a result. Population growth, the lethal character of modern war, habitat destruction, extinction of species, pollution, climate change: all these global problems have been made possible by modern industry and agriculture, modern hygiene and medicine, modern armaments, made possible in turn by modern science and technology. Our inability to solve these grave global problems that threaten our future attests to our failure to solve the second great problem of learning—learning how to become civilized. Our future is in peril as a result. What we need to do, in response to this unprecedented crisis, is learn from our solution to the first problem how to solve the second one.