Review of Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature
Posted: 29 Jun 2021, 12:36
[Following is a volunteer review of "Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature" by Chet Shupe.]
In rediscovering the wisdom of human nature, how civilization destroys happiness, we are introduced to a spiritual reality and a legally imposed reality. The author, Chet Shupe, goes into great detail to explain how our lives have changed, from relationships, success and security, to family size and sex. In surprisingly succinct detail, Chet Shupe lays down what seems to have gone wrong over the last 6000 or more years that human beings started developing into civilized beings. He is able to appreciate the positives that institutionalization of human life has brought, while at the same time, showing us how far we may have fallen from beauty of the natural order of things before civilization. It is up-to you as a reader to decide whether what he has described and prescribed is true or open to challenge.
The positive message that is running through rediscovering the wisdom of human nature, is that human beings should pursue unconditional love as it was before disruptions and the pressures of life happened. It is very easy for us to spend our lives in the pursuit of money, happiness and meeting the legal obligations imposed by various institutions, and yet forget the core essence of living-loving each other and raising future generations. Rediscovering the wisdom of human nature also encourages getting in-touch with our feelings instead of being driven by the fear of disobeying laws imposed by governments. It is a book that is asking us to temper reason with emotional intelligence. The author however, is making it clear that we should not just take is description as gospel truth or as a prescription, but rather, we should examine the logic behind his arguments and make our own informed choices.
What I seem to disagree with in this book is the thesis that because of great human suffering and failed past human civilizations, the current order of things-established human institutions such as legal marriages, legal systems, political or administrative systems, police forces and many other institutions-is an imposed unnatural order. That social mores and laws are defective and prone to self-destruction, which I do not think to be true. It is also interesting how the book claims a contradiction in human nature-. It argues that human nature is good, but it is institutions that corrupt it, which I do not think is the case. On one hand human beings do things that ensure our species survival, while on the other hand asserting that human beings have committed atrocities such as torture, genocide throughout history on the orders of governments.
I would rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because it is introducing a major paradigm shift in the way we understand the purpose of our existence. It is basing interdependent relationships as the foundation for happiness and not just material acquisitions. Rediscovering the wisdom of human nature, is driving us back to express unconditional love, whether in romantic relationships, motherly love or filial love in its purest form.
This book is an excellent read for all students of philosophy and logic. It is a book I would recommend to anybody inquisitive enough to challenge the prevailing institutional order of things. It is a book I would recommend for personal mental growth to anybody. Chet Shupe is truly an engaging writer and thinks out of the box in enlightening us on the current state of human existence.
******
Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In rediscovering the wisdom of human nature, how civilization destroys happiness, we are introduced to a spiritual reality and a legally imposed reality. The author, Chet Shupe, goes into great detail to explain how our lives have changed, from relationships, success and security, to family size and sex. In surprisingly succinct detail, Chet Shupe lays down what seems to have gone wrong over the last 6000 or more years that human beings started developing into civilized beings. He is able to appreciate the positives that institutionalization of human life has brought, while at the same time, showing us how far we may have fallen from beauty of the natural order of things before civilization. It is up-to you as a reader to decide whether what he has described and prescribed is true or open to challenge.
The positive message that is running through rediscovering the wisdom of human nature, is that human beings should pursue unconditional love as it was before disruptions and the pressures of life happened. It is very easy for us to spend our lives in the pursuit of money, happiness and meeting the legal obligations imposed by various institutions, and yet forget the core essence of living-loving each other and raising future generations. Rediscovering the wisdom of human nature also encourages getting in-touch with our feelings instead of being driven by the fear of disobeying laws imposed by governments. It is a book that is asking us to temper reason with emotional intelligence. The author however, is making it clear that we should not just take is description as gospel truth or as a prescription, but rather, we should examine the logic behind his arguments and make our own informed choices.
What I seem to disagree with in this book is the thesis that because of great human suffering and failed past human civilizations, the current order of things-established human institutions such as legal marriages, legal systems, political or administrative systems, police forces and many other institutions-is an imposed unnatural order. That social mores and laws are defective and prone to self-destruction, which I do not think to be true. It is also interesting how the book claims a contradiction in human nature-. It argues that human nature is good, but it is institutions that corrupt it, which I do not think is the case. On one hand human beings do things that ensure our species survival, while on the other hand asserting that human beings have committed atrocities such as torture, genocide throughout history on the orders of governments.
I would rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because it is introducing a major paradigm shift in the way we understand the purpose of our existence. It is basing interdependent relationships as the foundation for happiness and not just material acquisitions. Rediscovering the wisdom of human nature, is driving us back to express unconditional love, whether in romantic relationships, motherly love or filial love in its purest form.
This book is an excellent read for all students of philosophy and logic. It is a book I would recommend to anybody inquisitive enough to challenge the prevailing institutional order of things. It is a book I would recommend for personal mental growth to anybody. Chet Shupe is truly an engaging writer and thinks out of the box in enlightening us on the current state of human existence.
******
Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon