I think it can be fairly argued that the last great evolutionary shift in collective development began with the European Renaissance and continued through the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century (give or take a century). This is certainly not the only meaningful shift that can be identified, but it is unique for having not just advanced certain lines of inquiry, but for having redefined the human approach to inquiry across numerous lines in such a way as to fundamentally alter human perspectives, values and social structures almost across the board.
In that space of time, nearly every aspect of life changed in some substantial way. Feudal economic structures gave way to capitalism. Outright authoritarian oppression gave rise to the establishment of constitutional law. The Roman church lost not only its undisputed authority over political rule, but also over the interpretation of religious law, as the one church splintered into numerous sects, bringing into question the infallibility of the mother church. Philosophy gave rise to the formalization of the scientific method. Even the arts underwent fundamental shifts in subject, technique and intent. Virtually every area of the human experience changed in some fundamental way, and those changes paved the way for the continued refinements we have collectively experienced over the intervening centuries. The European Renaissance is possibly the best-documented example of an evolutionary shift in human consciousness, and it may have something to teach us about our future.
Intentional Evolution
We now have sufficient cultural memory and self-awareness to recognize the arc of human development as an unfolding of our very nature. We can observe and introspect the process on an individual and cultural level. This is precisely why I can assert that a shift in conscious development occurred. And that means that evolution can never sneak up on us again. It can never happen by accident again. It is completely volitional, to evolve or not. We have matured to the point of responsibility for our continued existence, development and well-being as a race. And just like any other maturation point, when we become aware we are forced to choose whether to utilize our capacity for deliberate development, or to relinquish our power to determine our destiny, and choose -- by virtue of not choosing -- to become subject to the inertia of self-absorption, to be acted upon rather than act, to regress, to fade, to cease to become, to fall back into the dream.
At present, the human race is arguably much like a teenager, drunk on self-gratification, entitlement, and illusions of immortality, living selfishly, recklessly, and on the verge of self-destruction. But also just beginning to awaken to its own autonomous nature and its capacity to save itself by growing out of its current predicament. We are only just becoming aware of evolution as a process that takes place at the level of consciousness as well as biology. But as a culture, we are still completely focused on our own gratification -- whether in the form of greater wealth, novel experience, or even our own personal and spiritual development -- that we do not see the bigger picture.
Collective Renaissance
But what do we risk by failing to elevate our perspective and look at cultural development, collective experience, and universal well-being? At minimum, we yield the developmental right-of-way to the dominant forces in culture. Which roughly translates to a top three of political, corporate and media influences. And if that's not worrisome enough, I don't list religious because for all intents and purposes that has re-merged with politics -- a very dangerous regression in my opinion.
I think it's our responsibility to pursue a postmodern renaissance. But in order to find a way out of the problems we have created in the world, we must begin to explore and understand the paths of development that will lead us to a new stage of human evolution. We cannot solve the world's problems by focusing on the world's problems; we must understand the underlying causes -- the areas of cultural underdevelopment -- that have given rise to endemic problems, then evolve our way out of the problems.
Then we can elevate those pursuits to heights never before known. But we are too integrated of a society for this to occur exclusively at a local or individual level -- the dominant cultural forces operate at a global scale, and so must we. Yes, Gandhi said to "be the change you want to see in the world," and that's a part of it to be sure. But the dominant forces of culture are too powerful, too pervasive to be overcome without the collective throwing off that dominion and evolving as a global human culture. That is the path of renaissance.
How exactly do we do that? Well, as Gandhi said: "Be the change you want to see in the world." We must begin by living a life of evolving awareness, of personal responsibility, and of commitment to the whole above our own narcissistic concerns. That's no small demand, but it's very likely that our collective future is riding on it.
