The phenomenon of humans

Author: Teilhard de Chardin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The Phenomenon of Man is a truly outstanding masterpiece of humanity. In this book, Teilhard de Chardin achieved a triple synthesis—the synthesis of the material, physical world with the mental, spiritual world; the synthesis of the past and the future; and the synthesis of the complex and numerous with the unified and singular. He accomplished this due to his perspective of studying various phenomena from the viewpoint of evolution, highlighting the temporal development and evolutionary status of each phenomenon. Yet, he could view the entirety of what is knowable as a dynamic process rather than a static mechanism. As a result, he could encompass the meaning of humanity within the eternal and all-encompassing journey; his achievement is based on this research. Undoubtedly, he will influence the thoughts of the entire world. He synthesized vast scientific knowledge, profound religious experiences, and serious value consciousness into a single whole, which will compel theologians to evaluate their concepts from the new perspective of evolution and will also enable scientists to understand the spiritual application of knowledge. On one hand, he clarified our understanding of entities, and on the other, he unified this understanding. From then on, science and religion will no longer be seen as two separate systems of thought or as distinct parts of life; they both pertain to the survival of all humankind. Religious believers will no longer disregard the natural world or avoid the extrapolations of natural philosophy into the supernatural realm, while materialistic thought will no longer deny the importance of spiritual experiences and religious sentiments. As humans, encompassing the boundless future of the Earth, we can understand these prospects through the increase of knowledge and compassion. In my view, this is the sublimity of The Phenomenon of Man—Julian Huxley. A great scientist, a great soul. His works have provided our generation with the grand vision it urgently needs—Arnold J. Toynbee. The Phenomenon of Man is a truly outstanding masterpiece. The author—Teilhard de Chardin—is both a Jesuit priest and an exceptional paleontologist. In this book, he achieved a triple synthesis—the synthesis of the material, physical world with the mental, spiritual world; the synthesis of the past and the future; and the synthesis of the complex and numerous with the unified and singular. He accomplished this due to his perspective of studying various phenomena from the viewpoint of evolution, highlighting the temporal development and evolutionary status of each phenomenon. Yet, he could view the entirety of what is knowable as a dynamic process rather than a static mechanism. As a result, he could encompass the meaning of humanity within the eternal and all-encompassing journey; his achievement is based on this research. Therefore, I am very pleased to introduce The Phenomenon of Man to English readers and write this introduction to outline the conclusions I believe are most important.