The Worldview of Thomas Berry: The Flourishing of the Earth Community

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/thomas-berry

Introduction

### Course Review: The Worldview of Thomas Berry: The Flourishing of the Earth Community In an age where climate change and environmental crises dominate headlines, understanding the philosophical underpinnings of our relationship to the Earth has never been more crucial. Coursera's course, **"The Worldview of Thomas Berry: The Flourishing of the Earth Community,"** provides an insightful exploration into the thoughts and teachings of Thomas Berry, a pivotal figure in redefining how we perceive our connection to the planet. This course is both timely and transformative, blending social responsibility with a deep understanding of scientific and cultural narratives. #### Overview of the Course Thomas Berry (1914-2009) was an influential cultural historian and a leading voice in the environmental movement. His work centers around what he termed the "New Story," a reinterpretation of humanity’s narrative within the greater story of the universe. Through this course, participants dive into Berry’s expansive views on how evolutionary sciences and world religions can guide us toward a flourishing future. The content is enriched by his writings and recorded lectures, presenting a holistic view of his contributions to environmental ethics and spirituality. #### Course Content and Structure The course begins with a warm **Welcome Session**, allowing students to familiarize themselves with the objectives of the course and connect with fellow participants. This introductory aspect sets a collaborative tone that continues throughout the course. ##### Key Sections 1. **Introduction - Thomas Berry as Cultural Historian**: This section captures personal anecdotes from instructors Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim as they recount their first encounters with Berry, highlighting the profound impact he had on their worldview. 2. **Thomas Berry’s Study of World Cultures and Religions**: Here, students explore how Berry synthesized scientific understanding with religious insights to create a comprehensive framework for ecological consciousness. This section underscores the relevance of spiritual teachings in addressing contemporary environmental concerns. 3. **Influence of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin**: This fascinating segment delves into Berry's influences, particularly the visionary work of philosopher and paleontologist Teilhard de Chardin. The teachings about ‘Special Relativity’ and the omnipresence of the ‘within’ offer thought-provoking reflections crucial to Berry's worldview. 4. **“The New Story”**: In this section, students engage with Berry's core principles of Differentiation, Subjectivity, and Communion. These concepts serve as a guiding framework for understanding humanity's role within the larger ecological community. 5. **Cosmology and Ecology**: Berry’s perspective on humanity as part of the Earth Community emphasizes a shift from anthropocentrism to biocentrism, urging participants to reconsider their relationship to nature and the beings that inhabit it. 6. **The Great Work and the Ecozoic Era**: Perhaps the most challenging yet rewarding section, this part discusses the notion of **“The Great Work.”** Berry's call for a reinvention of the human species to align with Earth’s ecological systems is both an urgent call to action and a hopeful vision for a sustainable future. #### Recommendation “The Worldview of Thomas Berry: The Flourishing of the Earth Community” is recommended for anyone passionate about environmental issues, philosophy, or spirituality. Whether you are a student, an educator, an activist, or simply someone curious about your place in the Earth Community, this course offers a rich tapestry of knowledge that empowers you to think critically and act compassionately. The course's engaging format, including multimedia elements and thoughtful discussions, fosters a dynamic learning environment that encourages personal reflection and collective dialogue. By the end, participants will undoubtedly gain not only an understanding of Berry’s influential ideas but a deeper motivation to contribute to the flourishing of our planet. In conclusion, this course is a profound invitation to rethink our narratives about nature and humanity. It champions the critical work needed in our time—reinventing ourselves and our societies in harmony with the Earth. Enroll today for a transformative experience that marries knowledge with meaningful action.

Syllabus

Welcome to The Worldview of Thomas Berry: the Flourishing of the Earth Community

Learn what this course is about, who's teaching it, and other ways you can explore this topic. Meet and greet your peers as well!

Mary Evelyn and John talk about their first encounters with Thomas Berry.

Thomas Berry was a scholar of Earth’s cultures; someone who inspired others to understand that the scientific story of the universe was a primary revelation, on the part with the world’s religions, and needing to be integrated with world’s cultures.

Learn how Pierre Teilhard de Chardin inspired Thomas Berry. Discover Special Relativity as a way of showing the omnipresence of the “within.”

Thomas Berry’s Differentiation, Subjectivity, and Communion as the overall guidance the New Story provides for humanity.

Thomas Berry's notion of the human as being derivative of the Earth Community: a primary governing principle for moving into the ecological era.

From a biological level, what is happening in our time is a recoding of Earth’s processes when natural selection is being overpowered by cultural selection, so that human decision has become geological in its reach. Thomas Berry summarized this by saying that the crucial task of our time is to reinvent the human species with the systems of Earth’s life by means of story and shared dream experience.