Overview of Matters of Consequence Matters of Consequence is a cross-disciplinary map of reality that addresses human concerns at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Among these are personal concerns such as living a creative and significant life, and societal ones such as sustainability and economic justice. The book’s underlying assumption is this: If we come to understand the interior and exterior aspects of the human situation — deeply, comprehensively, clearly — then what needs to be done, both in our personal lives and the world around us, becomes clear. This integral approach is rooted in the Perennial Philosophy, in Jean Gebser and Ken Wilber’s work, and in Abraham Maslow’s insight that if you come to understand a situation deeply enough, you will know what to do about it. Toward this end, Matters of Consequence outlines a process for developing deep understanding — a variety of wisdom that involves the integration of broadly-based contextual knowledge (the humanities plus the sciences plus economics) with introspectively acquired self-knowledge. We go outward for high-relevancy intellectual knowledge regarding the human situation, and go inward for the insights, self-knowledge, ethical development, widened sense of identification, helpful perspectives, and overall clarity which allow us to deeply commit our lives to up-leveling the process in our corner of the universe. Part I of the book sets the contextual stage by examining the nature of physical and mental reality, the evolution of informational complexity, and the question of cosmic purpose. In discussing the nature of primal reality, the book distinguishes between absolute reality and relative reality, and using concepts such as carrier, information, and modulation explicates the perennial philosophy perspective on reality in a science-compatible way. Part II continues the exploration of context by examining humanity's socio-cultural, economic, and biospheric realities. Part III is devoted to our inner reality (including self-knowledge, freedom, responsibility, identity, ethical sensibility), and creating a life characterized by meaning, purpose, and significance. In Part IV, the book focuses on the action implications of all this. Given what is, what do we do about it? Discussions about predicting the future and creating the future provide background for considering the vision of a year-2050 world worth creating. That world is characterized by economic equity, physical sustainability, vibrant local cultures, an electronically-facilitated world culture, and sufficient time in people’s lives to pursue a full, rich, life of the mind. The book's final chapter is devoted to an exploration of transformational approaches and opportunities for action. The book also has three appendices which introduce the reader to a variety of print, Internet, and organizational resources in support of personal efforts to develop deep understanding and live toward the vision. These appendices are also available on this Web site in clickable form. The rationale for each Appendix is explained below, and is accompanied by a link to the "clickable" online version of it: Appendix A: Resources for Developing the Intellectual-Knowledge Aspect of Deep Understanding     Science and the humanities are the twin pillars of Western higher education, but many people stand on only one. Just as many scientists and engineers lack knowledge of the humanities, many “well-educated” people have a largely humanities-focused orientation, and lack scientific knowledge. Economics also stands alone: mainstream economists ignore many human and scientific realities, and most scientists and humanities-educated people lack clarity about economic realities. Unfortunately, none of these one-pillar stances will take us where we need to go. To come to grips with the major scientific, social, and economic issues which bear on the present world situation, we must all become more holistic knowers. Very simply, we can deal effectively with humanity’s problems only if we have a deep and comprehensive understanding of the context in which those problems are set. This includes knowledge of the systemic nature of the cosmos, the evolutionary process in its most general sense, consciousness, human cultures, economic systems, and some of the more important principles, laws, and regularities which underlie functioning in all these areas.   Appendix B: Resources for Developing the Self-Knowledge/Intuitive Aspect of Deep Understanding     The exploration of one’s own psyche leads ultimately to an appreciation of the laws by which our inner, subjective lives operate. It also leads to ethical understanding, moral behavior, new levels of inner peace and freedom, and even insights into the nature of primal reality. Many people today are developing this largely-intuitive aspect of deep understanding through psychotherapies, intentional solitude, and direct-participation spiritual practices such as meditation.   Appendix C: Some Organizations Working Toward a Sustainable and More Equitable World     The more than 70 Web sites listed in this appendix not only describe interesting social change activities, but are also rich sources of information about the problems that world society currently faces. To access an Integralis article about Deep Understanding, click on Deep Understanding: Wisdom for an Integral Age. For a general look at the subject of wisdom, visit The Wisdom Page, a compilation of wisdom-related resources — various on-line texts concerning wisdom, references to books about wisdom, information about organizations that promote wisdom, wise activities, and listserv groups concerned with aspects of wisdom.   Copyright © 2004 by Copthorne Macdonald