Board Forum: How Grand a Narrative?
Editor’s note: With this “Board Forum” we Edward O. Wilson wrote in 1978, “The While I am responding,let me give some launch the first installment of what will evolutionary epic is probably the best myth of my own thoughts on the questions. First, become a regular feature of this publica- we will ever have.” Do you agree? If so,how I quote Thomas Berry’s definition of the pur- tion. The format is simple. A question (as is the word “best” to be understood, and pose of an origin Story.“To provide a con- here) or a contributed essay is circulated to who is “we”? Alternatively, is this Epic of text in which life can function in a mean- board members of the Epic of Evolution Evolution simply the newest creation story ingful manner.”So, I consider your questions Society, and short responses are solicited invented by a particular group of humans? within that understanding of the purpose of for publication. For this first Board Forum, I Should its reach be limited to its culture(s) the Epic of Evolution. put forth a question that had been on my of origin? Overall, how do we navigate I think the key word then is “we.”Who is mind for some time, and for which I had not between scientific imperialism and cultural the “we”? Whose life is not functioning in a yet drawn a satisfactory answer. Thanks to relativism when presenting the Epic? meaningful manner and therefore needs to the ten respondents, I and all readers of this be changed? I am firmly convinced that we publication have been offered a rich feast Larry Edwards: I think these are great should think of the “we” as Westerners, not of ideas to which we can turn for guidance. discussion questions. Just the other day Brian the human species. (Responses are printed in their entirety and Swimme was telling me that, in his experi- Our Western culture is not functioning in the order of their receipt.) ence,the two main objections to the Epic are in a meaningful manner; but many cultures first, the question(s) you raise about cultural are.The Epic, then, is not to be the new cre- QUESTION: relativism,and second,that the Epic is a prod- ation myth for all peoples, just Westerners WHAT IS THE STATUS AND REACH uct of a patriarchal culture and therefore not and those cultures which have adopted the OF THE STORY OF THE UNIVERSE AS valid, tainted in some way by association. Western Way. (Now that is a lot of people, RENDERED AND CONTINUALLY So I think it would be a very good dis- because that includes all people who are REFINED BY SCIENCE? cussion.It would get the Board involved and culturally dominated by the Western indus- some thoughts flying. trial view. For example, that includes many “Board Forum” ultimate reaches of the scientific experi- statements was that “grace flows through (Continued from page 7) ence.Nasr sees evolutionary theory as a vain the arteries of the cosmos.” Nature is a attempt to prove that higher biological reflection of the supernatural. Japanese.The key criterion is how the peo- forms emerge from lower ones. The dis- One of Nasr’s strongest responses was ple view the Earth. If they view the Earth as agreement with Thomas is obvious here. that the West determines the agenda for the a commodity to be used by humans,as a col- However,the two share significant common rest of the world. I think he sees the evolu- lection of objects whose value is deter- ground when it comes to hubris and the tionary paradigm (and I think he perceives mined by the use that humans put it to,then self-aggrandizement of the human. Nasr it only as such, not as “truth”) as a type of they are Westerners in that respect. If they advocates an ethic of self-restraint out of cultural imperialism, at least where Islam is view the Earth as sacred and see themselves reverence for the divinity in the created concerned. I think this calls into question as deeply interwoven into the processes of world—divine because it was created so by the evolutionary story as a unifying myth for the Earth, then they are non-Western and the Divine. the entire human race. It may be that it is have no need for a new cosmology.) Islam is a case where I think trying to the story that will bring the wayward West So I have answered a question you did make inroads with evolutionary theory is back to the fold which affirms life. But to not directly ask: “Do we believe that the going to be a rocky road at the very least think that it will somehow unify all human Epic is for all cultures?”That is the real ques- and perilous at worst. This leaves me to thought is incredibly ambitious, and proba- tion involved in the issue of scientific impe- believe that evolution and the story,as much bly unrealistic. rialism and cultural relativism. And my as it may be based in fact and the material Even Native American spirituality, which answer is no. If I were asked (and I haven’t nature of the universe, does not hold much shares a happy harmony with Thomas been) which cultures I thought “should” Berry’s work, is not evolutionary at its adopt the Epic as their fundamental refer- essence; it is cyclical. Oren Lyons’s response ent, then I would distinguish between those The West is primarily to the same question at the conference did cultures which are spiritually and materially responsible for the not directly affirm or deny evolutionary the- (i.e., economically and environmentally) ory. He mostly spoke about the importance sustainable and those which are not.If a cul- discouraging state of gratitude and reverence.To force Western ture is,it has no need for the Epic.If it is not, of Earth. science onto a Native American ontology then the Epic is probably the best founda- would be unthinkable to most proponents tional myth that culture could have. I think it is largely of native cosmology. And yet, as Brian Now given that the “we” is us Western- incumbent on the West Swimme has pointed out, the young within ers, then answering the questions you do Native American communities can get excit- pose is pretty easy, because the “other”Epic to find its way back to a ed by the way the scientific story can affirm that it is to replace is the Genesis Story and their own cultural values. all the embellishments of that story (includ- life-affirming cosmology. The West is primarily responsible for the ing the mechanistic scientific view) over the The Epic of Evolution is discouraging state of Earth.I think it is large- past 2,500 years. That story is no longer ly incumbent on the West to find its way functional—that is, it does not provide a the last best chance. back to a life-affirming cosmology.The Epic context in which our western life can func- But is it the answer of Evolution is the last best chance. But is it tion in a meaningful way.The Epic can,in my the answer for all cultures in all places? opinion, provide such a context. for all cultures Given the omnipresence of the Western in all places? world in all parts of the globe, this still Lauren de Boer: Thanks for the oppor- makes the articulation of an environmental tunity to respond to your proposed ques- ethic through the devices of the evolution- tions. Let me begin by commenting on cul- promise with a religion as hierarchical and ary story paramount in importance. But tural imperialism. I’d like to use Islam as an transcendent in nature as Islam. And yet practitioners need to watch the hubris fac- example because I think the relationship both Berry and Nasr are committed to heal- tor closely. between the Islamic world and the West is ing the relationship between the human I have much more to say on the debate going to be one of the most crucial in the and the natural world. over modernism and postmodernism. But coming decade. The Christian emphasis on At the World Religions and Ecology con- I’m lagging a bit and I feel I need to get this “love” and the Islamic emphasis on “know- ference in New York City in October 1998, off to you soon.Essentially,I agree with both ing” also presents intriguing possibilities. one of the most interesting dialogues took Charlene Spretnak’s and Ken Wilber’s cri- When I first started volunteering my place when John Grim posed two ques- tiques of postmodernism.And Wilber’s asser- time editing EarthLight under Paul Burks’s tions:“Does the Epic of Evolution serve as a tion that the Modernist differentiation of editorship four years ago, one of the pieces unifying story for humans to see themselves art, science, and spirituality has to be I contributed was a “contrasting perspec- as part of nature, not apart from it?” and brought into sync with the Great Chain of tive” between the thought of Thomas Berry “What values in your religious traditions Being has my attention. It has my attention and Seyyed Hossein Nasr, noted Islamic would significantly enhance human-earth because it lays less blame with the way scholar. The differences are intriguing, but relations?” things have proceeded in the West and sees so are the similarities. Without going into Nasr was the only one on the panel to it as a necessary departure from undifferen- too much detail, I can say that Nasr has a strongly call into question the entire notion tiated consciousness. Without it, we would profound distrust of Western science as of evolution, especially survival of the never have evolved culturally. Spretnak and mechanistic, reductionistic, and desacraliz- fittest. I don’t think this can be ignored Wilber are among our best critics of post- ing. Of course,Thomas agrees with this but (even though I personally find it incredible modernist self-delusion. It’s too bad Wilber has more faith in the belief element at the for someone of Nasr’s intellect). One of his comes down so hard on Spretnak. Ursula Goodenough: I don’t think it lives. Don Campbell, in his Presidential claim to be universal in appeal and seek makes sense to say that one cultural tradi- Address to the APA, noted that ministers converts. Some claim a monopoly on the tion is “allowed” to keep its creation myth were still at least as successful as psycholo- truth. Science, while not a religion exactly, because it’s earth-friendly and another can’t gists in healing broken lives (American Psy- certainly does make universal claims on because it isn’t—not to mention the obvi- chologist 30:1103–26). Religious beliefs matters of material causation. Universal ous difficulties inherent in dictating such affect the emotions and aspirations of ordi- aspirations always lead to conflicts.The bit- proscriptions in the first place. It seems far nary people in a way that scientific prac- ter disputes between Buddhists,Taoists, and simpler to go ahead and say that the Epic is tices cannot. Scientific stories are not as Confucians in China are an example. The a fantastic myth, that it happens to be true accessible as religious myths perhaps.They conflict between biblical inerranists and sci- in terms of the material universe, that other are highly abstract and at their worst only entists is just one in a long train of such dis- myths are true in terms of their cultural accessible to a few highly trained special- putes.While tolerance is certainly common meaning, and that there’s absolutely no ists. Scientific stories do not come with a as well, I don’t see any general solution to problem with holding more than one story, recipe for living integrated into a system of the competition of universalistic thought just as there’s no problem with viewing the beliefs and practices. systems for “souls.”All we can do is keep it sunset in terms of planetary rotation and I take it that one mission of the EES is to gentle. At least with such folk, there is no spectra and nuclear fusions one moment explore making scientific accounts more need to apologize for being hegemonic! and as visual splendor the next. like traditional myths.Those of us who prac- The other sorts of religions are tribal tice science are often awestruck by the (and of course universalistic religions toler- Peter Richerson: Scientific accounts of power of science to explain the world, and ate tribalism, e.g. Irish Catholics).They seek origins, as with so many other fields of not converts but a definition of separate- knowledge, are much superior in terms of ness. Judaism is a classic example.These are objective verisimilitude. I remember once as There is no reason why less of a problem for science, I think.There a young fellow trying out the idea that other you can’t be a member is no reason why you can’t be a member of forms of esoteric knowledge were equiva- a tribe and a scientist at the same time.You lent to modern science on a hard-nosed of a tribe and a scientist don’t have to “really believe” your tribal philosopher of science friend, Marjorie myths unless you come to feel they have Grene. I was (briefly) a precocious postmod- at the same time. some deep conflict with your science. It is ernist.The immediate cause was my reading You don’t have to easy to treat them as literary and political of Carlos Castaneda’s first book, The Teach- fictions that are useful for purposes of tribal ings of Don Juan. Of course, Castaneda’s “really believe” your tribal solidarity—heartwarming to entertain in work is now generally believed to be fiction. myths unless you come to public rituals, but not fundamental truths. Marjorie tore me up pretty badly. Their emotional impact comes from their The epistemological power of modern feel they have some deep generating feelings of solidarity with tribal science is truly like nothing humans have conflict with your science. fellows.In this case,science is in no position ever used before.Take a simple example like to make hegemonic claims, as with the maps. Before the developments of modern It is easy to treat them recipes-for-living aspect of religion. cartography,maps were sketches or exercis- as literary and Of course, tribes sometimes misbehave. es in imagination.The developments of geo- No one is a cultural relativist to the degree desy—first latitude, then longitude measur- political fictions that that they will tolerate the extremes of tribal ing, and finally accurate definitions of the misbehavior (e.g. Nazi Germany). Science is earth’s true shape (it is not a perfect are useful for purposes an excellent tool (as is critical history) for sphere)—allowed classic map makers to of tribal solidarity debunking the myths of tribes that need to make maps with errors measured in meters. be taken down a peg or two.Tribal ideolo- The latest techniques get the accuracy to gists also sometimes make very silly claims millimeters. It is hard to think of any scien- even more by its power to generate myster- and push them aggressively, as in some tific field that is not like map-making. ies.The more we have learned, the more we recent mythmaking about African history. Some postmodernists as well as pre- realize we don’t know. Many thoughtful sci- Worse, they sometimes harness tribal ideol- modernist fundamentalists want to deny the entists are nature mystics deriving from the ogy to very nasty policies, such as the “eth- scientific enterprise hegemony over the emotional charge that comes from creating nic cleansing” of current notoriety.I person- knowledge of material causation.As far as I an elegant solution to one problem only to ally think that one should never rub the can see,they haven’t any legitimate basis for find that it reveals more mysteries. This noses of well-behaved tribes in the mythical doing so. Critiques of modernism should be aspect of science is under-appreciated, even (objectively untrue) nature of their defining based on some sounder foundation than by most scientists. Whether science-as-mys- beliefs. On the other hand, I don’t see any challenging science on its home turf. For tical-practice will ever make it a useful reli- reason not to take potshots at the myths of example, the rampant consumerism of gion or adjunct to religion in the recipes-for- misbehaving or aggressive tribespeople. modernity is a big problem both ecological- life sense is an open question, it seems to ly and spiritually. (Economist Robert Frank me.At any rate, at the present time science Bill Bruehl: The question about narra- has written three fine analytical books has no warrant to be hegemonic in this tives interests me very much.The difference showing how the competitive pursuit of regard. Rather, it still must come hat in hand to me is that the old cosmological stories possessions that satisfy positional wants can to traditional religions to seek to understand are metaphors while the Epic is history. I’d be quite pathological.) how they work. like to collect some of the old stories, pre- The one area where science is not suc- All religions of the great religions type sent them as poetry, make the point that cessful is in the management of human are hegemonic,at least to some degree.They poetry in its own way has the same authori- indigenous cultures already have life-affirm- cultures are highly developed in these areas. “Board Forum” ing myths, or where religious groups are These types of experience should not be (Continued from page 9) remembering that care for creation is designated as part of cultural relativism, among their principle precepts and thus because they are human experiences of sin- ty as rational prose (or should), and also have their own green stories. gular importance found worldwide. They offer how some of those old poems can be In sum, make the narrative grand and cannot be neglected in our story because parsed in a way that shows their intuitive visionary but not imperial. A great strength they are the ones that so greatly enhance insights to be very like the factual history of the Evolutionary Epic is that it is really personal knowledge of the depth of human developed by science. much more than one myth or story; it’s a participation in the earth and cosmos in a The question of “hegemony”is also inter- vast web of interrelated stories, all of them felt, conscious manner. They touch deeply esting and connected to the above.That is to upholding the intrinsic value of individual into the roots of human identity and carry say, I think an argument can be made that species as well as the biosphere itself (not great meaning for individuals, so their incor- Religion and Science are two different ways to mention the entire cosmos or universe, poration will only strengthen the power of of answering the questions, “Who are we on one end of the scale, and biomes, land- the story. and where did we come from?”These two scapes, ecosystems, communities, popula- Our physical participation in what we ways are only in conflict when religionists tions, individuals, genes, and various expres- call matter, which is well described by the insist that their holy books and traditions be sions thereof, going in the other direction). epic of evolution, is also compelling. But taken literally rather than metaphorically. without full articulation of the various types When religion absorbs scientific discovery, of consciousness and how they are integral as the RC Church finally did with Coperni- to the story, the non ego-centered types of cus, there is no problem.They used to think My faith in the consciousness seem to be left out and deval- the Bible’s talk about the sun standing still Evolutionary Epic ued.To accomplish this incorporation, west- had to be taken as literal fact. Now such ern science will have to continue to move statements are seen as metaphorical. will be more beyond its sometimes too narrow concep- tions of matter, as many physicists have John Davis:Yes,I agree with Wilson,but than amply rewarded, already done, and explore more deeply the I probably understand “best”quite different- if this realms of consciousness. Fortunately, work ly from what Wilson means.The Evolutionary in this area is in progress.The work of David Epic will prove to be modern humanity’s our new cosmology Bohm, David Peat, Lawrence LeShan,Antho- best myth, I believe, because it will do more makes Nature ny Stevens, and Brian Swimme come to than any other creation story,I think, to con- mind, as they have all made very valuable vince people (Homo sapiens) to begin living preservationists contributions in this regard. with Nature once again, rather than living of those who against Nature as we have in recent cen- John Surette: Is the Epic of Evolution turies. I suspect that the Evolutionary Epic is formerly were “the best myth we will ever have”? I hesitate also empirically truer than other myths, but destroyers of Nature. to use the word “ever.”I mean that the Uni- (unlike Wilson) I doubt we can ever know verse appears to be such a mysterious this for sure. My faith in the Evolutionary realm.We know so little about it. No doubt Epic will be more than amply rewarded, there are many crucial questions that have nonetheless, if this our new cosmology Mary Coelho: I think the reach of the yet to even enter our imaginations. Certain- makes Nature preservationists of those who story is very great and that it can potentially ly some fifty and one hundred years from formerly were destroyers of Nature. If the provide a significant increment in ecologi- now our present telling of the Epic will Evolutionary Epic can reverse humanity’s cal understanding and human self-under- seem quite primitive. I would want to leave war against Nature, we should judge it the standing worldwide. It is indeed a remark- the door open to the possibility yet unper- greatest of myths—even if darwinian selec- able story that I trust accurately represents ceived that there might be some other more tion is no more than half a truth. (Indeed, I in its broad sweep the origins of the earth primordial epic which encompasses our don’t think the Evolutionary Epic should be and of life, even though questions about the present one. tied too closely to individualistic, darwinian beginning are not adequately understood. Having said all this:Yes,I agree with E.O. theories of natural selection.) But there is a most important caveat Wilson that it is the “best.” It is so captivat- “We”in Wilson’s bold assertion is intend- which should cause us to be very modest in ing, so satisfying, so inclusive, so unifying. I ed to be humanity, I presume. Being less our claims at this juncture. It is that as yet agree with Teilhard de Chardin in feeling enamored of the Enlightenment and human the story is not articulated with a broad that evolution is “like an unsatisfied hunger, notions of progress, I’d say “we” means the enough scope to incorporate a range of like a promise held out to me, like a sum- cultural and political elite of modern soci- human experiences that are of great impor- mons to be answered.” ety. Unfortunately, these are the people— tance to people. Lacking adequate recogni- Since arriving in the Caribbean it is the indeed, the beings—who will have the tion and explanation of archetypal experi- “we” that has captured my attention.There greatest influence over the future of life on ence in dreams and myth, mystical experi- are so many beautiful people in this beauti- Earth, for the next nine months or so any- ence occurring interior to the person and in ful place who have not progressed beyond way (come 2000 “CE,”all bets are off). nature, the forms of contemplative medita- primary school.They have never heard of a Nor should the Evolutionary Epic stop at tion and prayer including unitive experi- proton or a proto-galaxy,a gene or a gravita- its original boundaries.That is, evolutionists ences,and paranormal experience including tion attraction. In this they are like many in should try to spread the gospel far and sudden or rapid healing,it cannot attract the other so-called Third World countries. The wide, so long as they do not intrude where allegiance of people whose religions and telling of the Epic as I have been accus- tomed to telling it is certainly not available gestion as a charge against the Epic. Three own stories seriously. We share stories in to them.They are not part of the “we.” considerations shape my reflection on this order to get a sharper vision of that bigger Yes,Thomas Berry says that a good story issue: story. In saying this, I am subscribing to the can be told in one page or one thousand First, of course the Epic is rooted in a work of French scholar E. Benveniste (Prob- pages. Our Epic is a good story! I am just particular group of people at a particular lèmes de linguistique générale), who inter- beginning to work on ways of telling it that time, in a particular kind of culture. Who prets conversation between persons as dis- use few or no scientific terms. could deny that? Who would want to? course between an I and a You who are dis- A major bit of good news in all of this is (These are real questions and worth reflect- tinct entities, neither of which can be solely that the Jamaican people appear to have an ing on, but not just now.) Furthermore, as the fabrication of the other, and the conver- innate experience of and congruence with scientific as the Epic may appear, it is not a sation takes place in a world,else there is no some aspects of the Epic. For example, to direct transcript of either nature or science, conversation. If the interaction of stories is ask them to share about how everything is but is an interpretation constructed by par- real and not itself a fabrication, then the different from everything else, how every- ticular people. Thus, the relative position interaction similarly takes place in a world thing has a within as well as a without, and and character of the Epic is established, which is the subject of the Big Story. how everything is connected to everything beyond doubt. What difference does all this make for else,is to invite a spontaneous and energetic Second, the Epic is also very close to a me? It results, I hope, in a useful blending of flow of lengthy responses. set of scientific accounts that are based on confidence in the Epic narrative and also a So I think I would conclude by saying careful research and which represent a con- humility that enables me to learn from other that, in spite of all the communication prob- sensus among many scientists today. This stories, just as I urge them to learn from the lems, the “we” is in reality a “universal we” Epic.The Epic,after all,is a dynamic story,not because the Epic is already within each a static, once-and-for-all narrative, and I want teller and hearer of the tale. No narrative, or story, to participate in its ongoing development.
Tyler Volk:The best? Absolutely! And no can claim to be the small part of what makes it the best is the Big Story for all people fact that we can faithfully know that in the Cosmogenesis Listserve future the epic will become even more the at all times. best. But each story speaks If you enjoy on-line discussion, Along these lines, note that the epic you may want to join the free list- uniquely contains the procedure for its to some people and serve associated with the Epic of ongoing improvement—the working makes a contribution to Evolution Society. To subscribe to process, and not just the results, of science. Cosmogenesis Listserve, send an Thus the epic sets forth as part of its grand the whole commonwealth email to: narrative the subplot of how its betterment takes place over time. of narratives. [email protected] What, then, shall become of the other, more ancient myths that were woven by the facet of the Epic stands in tension with the with the following words as the only world’s various and glorious cultures? We particularity and relative character of the message (and with your own name would do well to preserve these myths, but Epic, and this tension must be preserved, inserted): not as museum pieces, as kinds of mythic both by those who espouse the epic as their fossils—rather as creations still vital for story and also by those who are skeptical of SUB COSMOGEN first name last nourishing our minds. Although they no it. Today, even though we like to collapse name longer can be taken seriously as literal this tension, either in the direction of objec- records of the outer world, they still hold tivism or total relativism, we must learn to You will receive an email from power to stimulate the inner world. These live it. After all, relativism is just as much a the listserve asking you to confirm ancient myths were successful,for millennia relative proposal as that of objectivism. your subscription.You must reply to in some cases, specifically because they can Third, no narrative, or story,can claim to this message per the instructions tap into and call up archetypes of human be the Big Story for all people at all times. with the word “ok” written in the consciousness.They do so by means of hero- But each story speaks to some people and body of your email reply. Normally ic journeys, battles both human and cosmic, makes a contribution to the whole com- you must respond to this confirma- sublime forces of nature, transformations of monwealth of narratives. It is important that tion request within 48 hours. Then self, and achievements of wisdom.They can we share our stories as broadly as possible, you are added to the list and will still help our psyches unfold. not because we have hegemonic intentions, receive a welcome message with the Consider what Einstein once said to a but because in the sharing of stories we get instructions,including instruction on mother who asked for advice to prepare her a better understanding of what the (or a) how to terminate your subscription child for a life in science:“Read fairy tales.” Big Story might be that encompasses all par- should you wish. You will also start “And after that?” the mother asked. “Read ticular stories.After all, some stories will, in receiving messages from the group. more fairy tales.” the encounter with others,prove to be inad- The archives for Cosmogen and equate for the commonwealth, while others other information can be found at Philip Hefner: I encounter rather fre- will catch on far beyond the confines of