*insert standing ovation* ... More of this. This is fantastic. Reminds me of the conclusion of Michael Sandel's book Justice: some of the last chapters was about Telos and asking if we should reframe society in order to maximize this in people and optimize for it. This feels like the evolution of the idea. Also, it seems to resonate with older philosophical "economic" ideas the west has mostly written off as not "progressive/modern enough".
I'm excited to see where this leads! (And I'm now wondering how more of us can jump onboard this growing movement out of business as usual...) TBD.
Love this, Paul! I've worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs in my career and totally agree with the point that "entrepreneurship is a spiritual journey in which you must transcend the limitations of your former self in order to help others do the same." Entrepreneurship naturally encourages spiritual development, even if someone doesn't consider themselves "spiritual." That's why so many of them end up writing books—they know the experiences they've had can help others.
I do think we are on the verge of a shift toward a system like what you describe.
Also, highly recommend reading Spiritual Intelligence by Danah Zohar if you're not already familiar with it. I think it has some relevance to these ideas.
Hi Paul just started listening to some of your work. I found this interesting as I started up a business mostly as a personal development exercise.
I think eventually out rulers will push for spiritual or some other growth rather than economic. But economic growth was the best way to capture the world. Spiritual (or whatever) is probably the best way to control it after the physical growth stage.
I often find people with good jobs in academia forget about the lower socio economic groups, their wants. and the easiest way to control them.
Good luck with your work, I think it is worth while. I might (will) look to do something similar but more focused to begin with on the level of growing the individuals internal and external power base and self control.
This is a beautiful idea, and I agree with it in principle. But I wonder how much of it can survive contact with human behavior. People may value depth, attention, and meaningful connection, but fatigue, fast dopamine, and the need for immediate validation often pull us in the opposite direction. Maybe the real challenge is not only building better spaces, but developing the kind of attention that can actually live in them.
Love this article. My favourite economist is Buddha - we're never going to solve the problem of finite resources but infinite wants by producing more. The only way we can solve it is by redefining our wants. Not 'maximising utility' (traditional economics) but 'maximising bliss'. To maximise bliss we don't need to spend more money consuming more goods, but we do need to spend time on a spiritual journey. I think I've found a kindred spirit here - I also believe that when humanity evolves enough (I doubt it'll happen any time soon), this vision will be inevitable. Thank you for writing.
I love reframing becoming a creator as a spiritual becoming instead of an economic necessity. I’ve been looking for motivation to help me with the drag and slog of getting on social platforms and hearing something like that is helpful and actually makes a lot of sense. I appreciate it!
I really enjoyed reading this piece. My entrepreneurial journey has led to my spiritual growth. When I first started, I was driven by the potential to earn a lot of money. This would not only take care of my basic survival needs, but also to satisfy the ego which needed external validation from others. Recently, I'm been reinventing my life, and I'm not so driven by external rewards. Rather, I want to focus on doing work that's more meaningful and making a positive impact. Spiritual Economics definitely describes this.
I also think about alternative economics, all of the time. So I especially enjoyed the topic.
I have two thoughts to add:
1. I of course definitely see De-growth as the way to not over extract resources and destroy the Planet we're living on, while focusing most of our economic attention on transcendence.
2. And I'd like to introduce you to the economic concept of linear programming.
Linear programming describes tool of measurement tool or more concretely an algorithm, that is capable of optimizing for one specific goal/metric while not letting other metrics fall below a certain specification.
For example: Optimize for maximal T (Transcendence),
While keeping GoL (Goods of Living), and IC (Industrial Capacity) at a satisfactory level X (whatever number that may be IRL) and keep the Air Quality and Biodiversity rates at 90%.
This has been in use in some companies since the 50s if I remember correctly
I also think about alternative economics, all of the time. So I especially enjoyed the topic.
I have two thoughts to add:
1. I of course definitely see De-growth as the way to not over extract resources and destroy the Planet we're living on, while focusing most of our economic attention on transcendence.
2. And I'd like to introduce you to the economic concept of linear programming.
Linear programming describes tool of measurement tool or more concretely an algorithm, that is capable of optimizing for one specific goal/metric while not letting other metrics fall below a certain specification.
For example: Optimize for maximal T (Transcendence),
While keeping GoL (Goods of Living), and IC (Industrial Capacity) at a satisfactory level X (whatever number that may be IRL) and keep the Air Quality and Biodiversity rates at 90%.
This has been in use in some companies since the 50s if I remember correctly
This essay by Paul Musso seems to be related to The Existential Philosophy of Life — which is not an ism — presented by Søren Kierkegaard in the 19th century.
I, you, he, and she each have an individual Existential Philosophy of Life.
What, then, is the best common denominator for people of virtue who seek to live well together on the Blue Planet, which, after The Era of Modernity, has now entered The Multi-Florous Era?
*insert standing ovation* ... More of this. This is fantastic. Reminds me of the conclusion of Michael Sandel's book Justice: some of the last chapters was about Telos and asking if we should reframe society in order to maximize this in people and optimize for it. This feels like the evolution of the idea. Also, it seems to resonate with older philosophical "economic" ideas the west has mostly written off as not "progressive/modern enough".
I'm excited to see where this leads! (And I'm now wondering how more of us can jump onboard this growing movement out of business as usual...) TBD.
Love this, Paul! I've worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs in my career and totally agree with the point that "entrepreneurship is a spiritual journey in which you must transcend the limitations of your former self in order to help others do the same." Entrepreneurship naturally encourages spiritual development, even if someone doesn't consider themselves "spiritual." That's why so many of them end up writing books—they know the experiences they've had can help others.
I do think we are on the verge of a shift toward a system like what you describe.
Also, highly recommend reading Spiritual Intelligence by Danah Zohar if you're not already familiar with it. I think it has some relevance to these ideas.
Hi Paul just started listening to some of your work. I found this interesting as I started up a business mostly as a personal development exercise.
I think eventually out rulers will push for spiritual or some other growth rather than economic. But economic growth was the best way to capture the world. Spiritual (or whatever) is probably the best way to control it after the physical growth stage.
I often find people with good jobs in academia forget about the lower socio economic groups, their wants. and the easiest way to control them.
Good luck with your work, I think it is worth while. I might (will) look to do something similar but more focused to begin with on the level of growing the individuals internal and external power base and self control.
Thanks
Paul, I think this calls for some long conversations. Looking forward to dropping in with you real soon.
This is a beautiful idea, and I agree with it in principle. But I wonder how much of it can survive contact with human behavior. People may value depth, attention, and meaningful connection, but fatigue, fast dopamine, and the need for immediate validation often pull us in the opposite direction. Maybe the real challenge is not only building better spaces, but developing the kind of attention that can actually live in them.
Love this article. My favourite economist is Buddha - we're never going to solve the problem of finite resources but infinite wants by producing more. The only way we can solve it is by redefining our wants. Not 'maximising utility' (traditional economics) but 'maximising bliss'. To maximise bliss we don't need to spend more money consuming more goods, but we do need to spend time on a spiritual journey. I think I've found a kindred spirit here - I also believe that when humanity evolves enough (I doubt it'll happen any time soon), this vision will be inevitable. Thank you for writing.
I love reframing becoming a creator as a spiritual becoming instead of an economic necessity. I’ve been looking for motivation to help me with the drag and slog of getting on social platforms and hearing something like that is helpful and actually makes a lot of sense. I appreciate it!
I really enjoyed reading this piece. My entrepreneurial journey has led to my spiritual growth. When I first started, I was driven by the potential to earn a lot of money. This would not only take care of my basic survival needs, but also to satisfy the ego which needed external validation from others. Recently, I'm been reinventing my life, and I'm not so driven by external rewards. Rather, I want to focus on doing work that's more meaningful and making a positive impact. Spiritual Economics definitely describes this.
Really good piece.
I also think about alternative economics, all of the time. So I especially enjoyed the topic.
I have two thoughts to add:
1. I of course definitely see De-growth as the way to not over extract resources and destroy the Planet we're living on, while focusing most of our economic attention on transcendence.
2. And I'd like to introduce you to the economic concept of linear programming.
Linear programming describes tool of measurement tool or more concretely an algorithm, that is capable of optimizing for one specific goal/metric while not letting other metrics fall below a certain specification.
For example: Optimize for maximal T (Transcendence),
While keeping GoL (Goods of Living), and IC (Industrial Capacity) at a satisfactory level X (whatever number that may be IRL) and keep the Air Quality and Biodiversity rates at 90%.
This has been in use in some companies since the 50s if I remember correctly
Hope this is valuable and interesting.
Really good piece.
I also think about alternative economics, all of the time. So I especially enjoyed the topic.
I have two thoughts to add:
1. I of course definitely see De-growth as the way to not over extract resources and destroy the Planet we're living on, while focusing most of our economic attention on transcendence.
2. And I'd like to introduce you to the economic concept of linear programming.
Linear programming describes tool of measurement tool or more concretely an algorithm, that is capable of optimizing for one specific goal/metric while not letting other metrics fall below a certain specification.
For example: Optimize for maximal T (Transcendence),
While keeping GoL (Goods of Living), and IC (Industrial Capacity) at a satisfactory level X (whatever number that may be IRL) and keep the Air Quality and Biodiversity rates at 90%.
This has been in use in some companies since the 50s if I remember correctly
Hope this is valuable and interesting.
This essay by Paul Musso seems to be related to The Existential Philosophy of Life — which is not an ism — presented by Søren Kierkegaard in the 19th century.
I, you, he, and she each have an individual Existential Philosophy of Life.
What, then, is the best common denominator for people of virtue who seek to live well together on the Blue Planet, which, after The Era of Modernity, has now entered The Multi-Florous Era?