Customer Reviews

The Participatory Mind: A New Theory of Knowledge and of the Universe (Arkana)

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Henryk Skolimowski postulates that in order to usher in a new society propagating peace, harmony, and wholeness, we must change our perspectives of what is valued. To do so, we must look within ourselves, at our society, our culture, and the communal cosmos in which we all reside. We are all co-creting, he might say; making reality as we participate with everything around us in a holistic enterprise evolving from within. The Participatory Mind is a wonderfully elucidating text written for any reader interested in becoming more, and helping society become more. There are direct correlations to education and psychology, though the book evolved out of a philosophical base. Similar reads from an educational perspective might include works by Lev Vygotsky, John Seely Brown, and Jerome Bruner. Other authors relating to Skolimowski's particular work would be Gregory Bateson and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Highly recommended-

This book is something I've long been waiting for: a book of real philosophy that deeply addresses the contemporary issues of human society. This is not dusty philosophical history or technical, abstract logical analysis. Rather, it is a penetrating look into the nature of human culture and values. Skolimowski tackles head-on our mechanistic worldview, and draws out all the adverse consquences that follow from this. He shows how mechanistic values have outlived their usefulness. And, most importantly, he not only criticizes but creates new visions and worldviews to remedy the situation. Skolimowski is a courageous thinker, not afraid to embrace universal evolution and the power of the human mind in shaping reality. This is no fuzzy new-age text, but a rational, rigorous look at where we are and where we need to go. Highly recommended.

Dr. Skolimowski does a wonderful job of introducing thinking that is becoming the new paradigm for many of us. This is a wonderful, scholarly but easy to read review of Western thought. It is sad that it has no index and is therefore difficult to cite but well worth the read. When I ordered it last year, it seemed to be out of print. I am glad to see it available again.