Y2K, technology and environment, well-being, systems integration, levels of inquiry

摘要

The evolution of natural as well as human systems involves two contrasting processes ofrnmaterialization and etherealization. Materialization is a process by which systems acquirernand develop their systemic characteristics, or patterns of meaningful connections, amongrntheir constituent elements. Etherealization is a process by which these systemicrncharacteristics dissolve back into their latent potentialities. Looking at systems evolutionrnin terms of the conjugate processes of materialization and etherealization reflects arnmonistic worldview that sees the operation of a unifying principle behind all systems inrnthe universe. How the monistic worldview developed in this paper is related to otherrnmonistic views is discussed in the historical context of the evolution of both Western andrnEastern thought. Viewing systems evolution in terms of the conjugate processes ofrnmaterialization and etherealization is shown to shed light on the nature of relationshiprnbetween matter and mind, between civilization and culture, and between science andrnspirituality. It is further shown that our monistic worldview gives rise to a definiternsystems ethics – an ethic of stewardship defined at the individual, the societal, and thernglobal level.