Fifteen essays on literary and philosophic subjects, all asking the single fundamental question: where are modern culture and society going?
The title is taken from Wordsworth, and it expresses the conviction that the universe embodies a spiritual, cosmic design which links together Nature, Man, and God.
Subjects include: the philosophy of Nature and Science, especially Cosmology; alternative religions to Christianity; Astrology seen as a science which died; the contemporary dominance of technology; poetry and novels; geographical literature.
A rich and varied collection of thought-provoking ideas, a book with a message.
Wisdom and Spirit of the Universe
This book examines the paradox that as we progress in material riches, in power and in technical skills, our lives become bleaker and more dehumanised. It looks at ways of breaking out of deadening materialism into an awareness of the deeper history of ideas, of critical thought, and the wisdom and values of the past. Seeking and finding the unknown behind the known can become a goal pursued by each individual alone, using imagination and the creative arts to forge a deeper, more authentic life. We need to counterbalance the destructive effects of materialism, which impose incessant demands on our lives in the form of money, power and worldly success. In resisting these demands, the inner life of the imagination is crucial in finding alternatives to the technical-commercial nexus which has come to dominate our lives and our thoughts.
