Knowledge (Old/New)
What old vs. new ways of knowing will help us build the world we want?
The Knowledge theme brings together a number of related axes: Domain, Science, Spirituality, Time, and Technology. One important thread weaving these axes together is old vs. new ways of knowing, focusing on tradition, values, and ancient wisdom vs. rationality, materialism, and contemporary science. Plenty of potential for creative tension here!
Two Poles
Knowledge (Old Pole)
Knowledge (New Pole)
One approach to ways of knowing values what we have inherited from the past, what has stood the test of time. The old pole of the Knowledge theme builds on the ideal Domain, alternative Science, sacred Spirituality, fear of Technology, and veneration of past Time to trust these old ways of knowing more than newer approaches to knowledge. The old pole moves tentatively into the future, leaning more into wisdom than innovation. One possible online example: Order of the Sacred Earth.
The new pole of the Knowledge theme prioritizes contemporary approaches, those that reflect the advancement of knowledge over time. Weaving together the material Domain, mainstream Science, secular Spirituality, love of Technology, and trust in future Time, this pole may or may not respect past traditions, but certainly places far more emphasis on the recent flourishing of scientific and related forms of knowledge. One possible online example: The Breakthrough Institute.
Ideal Pole |
Domain |
Material Pole |
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Environmental problems will only go away if we focus on our values and paradigms, not just our practices and behavior. The best way to change damaging ecological practices is to reexamine basic ideas about our relationship to nature. |
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Environmental solutions require changing things that govern what we do, like laws and policy, not just changing our values. Environmental problems are less due to our shortsighted values than our economic and political practices. |
Heterodox Pole |
Science |
Orthodox Pole |
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When it comes to environmental issues, in many cases mainstream science is only one source of truth among others. Alternative sources of facts from wisdom traditions often reveal more environmental insights than mainstream science. |
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It’s important to follow scientific consensus and scientific facts in addressing environmental problems. Science offers a better way to learn the truth about environmental issues than alternative claims to truth. |
Sacred Pole |
Spirituality |
Secular Pole |
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Nature has an important spiritual dimension that we must not neglect in coming to terms with our environment. Nature is inherently sacred; this makes it all the more important that we take environmental problems seriously. |
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People who look for spiritual dimensions of environmental problems and solutions are wasting their time. Rationality, not spirituality, is what we need to solve environmental problems. |
Technophobic Pole |
Technology |
Technophilic Pole |
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Some people think we can solve environmental problems with technology, but this may just create more problems. Technological solutions to environmental problems usually just benefit the corporations that developed them. |
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Technology can make our lives healthier, easier, and more comfortable with minimal adverse environmental impact. Given the complexity of today’s world, technology will play a key role in how we manage our global environment. |
Past Pole |
Time |
Future Pole |
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The past provides ancient wisdom and previously undisturbed ecosystems we must now honor and restore. Many environmental problems arose from our headlong rush into the future; we must look back to the past to find solutions. |
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We need not look to the past for environmental solutions, given our potential for future ingenuity and progress. We cannot turn back the clock: solving environmental problems demands a future-oriented approach. |
Survey Results
The histogram above displays a weighted mean of this theme’s related axes, for surveys from fall 2018 to now. Responses toward the left of this chart lean toward the left pole of this theme; those toward the right favor the right pole. What is the overall distribution of responses? What does this say about participants in the EcoTypes survey, and their take on this theme? How do your results compare?
The correlation table above compares responses to statements for axes related to this theme. Values near 0 mean little association; values above |0.2| and |0.4| are formatted to imply stronger association. (Positive values mean the axis poles line up as above.) Which axes seem to have a strong empirical association? Do you find any surprises in the strong, weak, or negligible associations summarized above?