Errol E. Harris Livres

Earth Federation Now: Tomorrow Is Too Late examines our planet's increasing political and ecological problems and offers cogent arguments for a wholesome global approach to these problems. National governments, by the very fact of their definition as "national," have neither power nor jurisdiction to appropriately address imminent ecological disasters and other challenges to the protection of human life on a planetary scale. Neither can concerted solutions for Earth be found through international conventions, because observance of their terms cannot be enforced upon ostensibly sovereign states. Though military action has historically been cited as a recourse, we see now that militarism is itself a primary cause of the Earth's current predicament. Harris argues that the establishment of a civil Earth Federation, democratically operated and empowered to enforce World Law, is the one practicable approach.

The book explores the extensive impact of scientific paradigms on various aspects of culture, illustrating how the mechanistic and atomistic views of Newtonian science shaped philosophy, economics, morals, and politics for centuries. Harris argues that these paradigms continue to influence 20th-century thought, highlighting the deep-rooted connections between scientific ideas and broader societal beliefs.

The book delves into the enduring philosophical challenge of the relationship between body and mind, tracing its significance from ancient thinkers like Plato and Aristotle to modern philosophers such as Descartes, Hobbes, and Hegel. It emphasizes that understanding human nature is essential for moral philosophy, as it influences ethical and political decisions. The text argues for an integrated approach where metaphysics, epistemology, and the role of bodily senses are interconnected, highlighting the necessity of examining how the mind relates to both the body and the natural world.

Exploring critical global issues, this book delves into environmental crises like deforestation and pollution, alongside the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. It examines the complexities of international relations, including sovereignty, power dynamics, and the balance of power. The text also addresses the need for reform within international law and organizations like the United Nations, questioning humanity's ability to learn and adapt in the face of such challenges.