Hope and the Future: Confronting Today's Crisis of Purpose (Second Edition With Updates and a New Preface)

by Charles M Johnston

Overview

Hope and the Future is a critically important book by one of our times’ most respected and original social thinkers. This second edition includes a new preface and additional examples that more specifically address unsettling events of the last four years.

From the book’s back cover:

“Hope and the Future addresses what legitimate hope for the future necessarily depends on. It describes how we face a growing number of challenges that require that we think, act, and relate in new ways—often fundamentally new ways. And it explores how effectively addressing those challenges will require not just fresh ideas, but a critical “growing up” as a species.

“This essential book also looks at ways needed changes are already happening, and how when we are ready for them, they can seem surprisingly straightforward, indeed, like common sense. Hope and the Future is an exploration of the “new common sense” on which our future depends.”

Of all Dr Johnston’s books, Hope and Future is written most specifically for a general audience. It is the place to start if you are not familiar with his work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781732219007
Publisher:	Charles Johnston MD
Publication date:	08/15/2018
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.39(d)

About the Author

Charles M. Johnston, MD, is a psychiatrist and futurist. He is best known as the originator of Creative Systems Theory, a comprehensive framework for understanding purpose and change in human systems, and for directing the Institute for Creative Development, a nonpartisan think tank and center for advanced leadership training. He is the author of numerous books and articles on the future and how we can best prepare to meet it. Links to his work can be found at the Institute for Creative Development website (www.CreativeSystems.org), the Institute's Cultural Maturity blog (www.CulturalMaturityblog.net) and Dr. Johnston's "Looking To the Future" podcast (www.LookingtotheFuture.net).

Table of Contents

hope and the future

Preface ix

Chapter 1: Making Sense of Our Time—

The Concept of Cultural Maturity 1

Chapter 2: Addressing the Seeds of Con ict—

Toward an End to “Evil Empires” 16

Chapter 3: Acknowledging Limits—

When Enough Is Enough 38

Chapter 4: Rethinking Relationship and Identity— Love, Leadership, and the Modern Myth

of the Individual 58

Chapter 5: Understanding What Matters

and Why—Truth, Responsibility, and the Future

of Human Advancement 76

Chapter 6: Theoretical Perspective—

A Closer Look at the Concept of

Cultural Maturity 102

Chapter 7: Looking Ahead—

The Appropriateness of Hope 152

Appendix: Frequently Asked Questions 156 Index 164

Editorial Reviews

“A must read for anyone who wants to live a purposeful life with the future in mind.”

Lyn Dillman—A Teacher of Teachers

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seriously concerned about the future of humanity and the planet and is seeking realistic hope and guidance in these complex and troubled times. A Monumental Contribution to our Human Understanding.

Larry Hobbs—Marine Biologist

“This is one of the most important books of the early 21st Century. Dr. Johnston does not believe that the way we think is “wrong.” On the contrary, he is quite clear that the way we think in our current culture was timely for the emergence and development of the modern age. What he argues is that we are now in a transitional phase of culture similar to the one 400 years ago, where we are being asked to grow in a way that has not been necessary or even possible before now. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels “called” in some way, not just to make the world a better place, but to help grow the perspectives and ways of thinking that allow us to work together to co-create a world we can all live in.”

David Walker Moore—Aerospace Engineer

“In Hope and the Future, Charles Johnston clearly articulates the unique challenges and possibilities of our times. He then invites us to put our hands on needed new, more powerful tools. The principles of Cultural Maturity are just plain common sense and help us distance ourselves from the tired approaches to social change that we have resigned ourselves to, even though they seem fruitless. The teachings included in Hope and the Future give us new life-giving alternative choices.

Bill Grace -- Priest and Leadership Educator

“Psychiatrist Charles Johnston demonstrates how wise and mature leadership, grounded in new leadership capacities, will enable us to navigate the increasing complexity of the world. Hope and the Future is a blueprint for leadership at the evolutionary edge.”

Nicholas Beecroft— Psychiatrist and Futurist

“Cultural Maturity is not for weaklings or whiners. It calls us to be more than we think we can be. But Dr. Johnston shows in this important book that it’s necessary while he gives us the framework and pathway to get there.”

Gloria M. Degaetano —Parent Educator

From the Publisher