A TALE OF TWO AGES AND THE QUEST TO CREATE A PEACEFUL, HARMONIOUS, EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE AND SPIRITUAL WORLD

Abstract

This article examines two very different types of ages – the age of economics and the age of culture. It begins by describing the origins and evolution of the age of economics, makes an impartial assessment of the remarkable strengths and fundamental shortcomings of this age, and concludes that it would be a disastrous mistake to continue living in this age due to the devastating effect it is having on the natural environment, producing colossal disparities in income and wealth, and treating economics as “the whole” rather than a very important “part of the whole.” This opens the doors to the age of culture and examining how the two principal perceptions and definitions of culture that would underlie this age - “the arts, humanities, heritage of history, and cultural industries” and “the whole and total way of life of people” - are helpful in understanding what is going on in the world today. This includes the Black Lives Matter movement, the protests of Indigenous peoples, conflicts between races, groups, and countries with different worldviews and values, and especially the war in Ukraine. This war has decimated many towns and cities throughout this country, destroyed an enormous amount of residential and industrial infrastructure, killed thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and citizens, and displaced millions more. In mounting a phenomenal resistance to this illegal invasion by Russia, Ukrainians have capitalized on many of their most precious historical and contemporary heroes, symbols, and accomplishments, as well as their cherished culture and way of life. This leads to a detailed examination of the incredible potential culture possesses in the holistic sense for systemic change, creating a more effective balance between the material and non-material dimensions of development and life, and the realization of a great deal more peace, harmony, equality, sustainability, and spirituality in the world. The article ends with the conviction that very different types of leaders will be needed to bring the age of culture into existence, capitalize on its numerous assets, capabilities, and benefits, and enable it to flourish in the future. These leaders will need broader and deeper perspectives on the world, higher values and ideals, much more knowledge and understanding of the cultural realm in the all-encompassing sense, and the courage to award a much higher priority to culture and cultures in the overall scheme of things, introduce and implement tough environmental and cultural legislation, and the capacity to demonstrate much more kindness, compassion, and commitment to helping marginalized and oppressed people, groups, and countries throughout the world in practical and concrete terms.