MODES OF THINKING: THE QUESTION OF AWARENESS

Authors

  • Bruce Kent Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
  • Eugene Williams University of Massachusetts
  • David Barash University of Washington

Abstract

Human thinking about war, weapons, and peace is still pre-nuclear. To get this thinking up to date, societies have to modify some very basic psychological images and symbols that activate their thinking. Three of the speakers at the Conference, whose ideas are summarized below, have identified some of these symbols and images, have followed up with the kind of thinking they generate, and have pointed out the inappropriateness of this way of thinking in the nuclear age. All three authors are speaking in the context of Einstein's familiar quote: 'The splitting of the atom has changed everything except our modes of thinking, and thus we move towards unparalleled disaster." RÉSUMÉ Les réflexions de l'homme sur la guerre, les armements et la paix sont encore de nature prénucléaire. Pour actualiser ces réflexions, les sociétés doivent modifier certains symboles et images psychologiques élémentaires qui enfluent sur leur façon de penser. Trois des conférenciers, dont les idées sont résumées ci-dessous, ont dégagé certains de ces symboles et images, ont analysé le type de réflexion qu'ils engendrent et ont souligné le manque d'àpropos de cette façon de penser à l'ère nucléaire.

Author Biographies

Bruce Kent, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Bruce Kent is Vice-Chairman, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, London, England. Bruce Kent, vice-président, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Londres, Angleterre.

Eugene Williams, University of Massachusetts

Eugene Williams is associated with the Future Studies Program, School of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Eugene Williams, rattaché au programme d'études sur l'avenir, School of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

David Barash, University of Washington

David Barash is professor of Psychology and Zoology at the University of Washington, Seattle. David Barash, professeur de psychologie et de zoologie, University of Washington, Seattle.

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Published

1987-09-01

How to Cite

Kent, B., Williams, E., & Barash, D. (1987). MODES OF THINKING: THE QUESTION OF AWARENESS. McGill Journal of Education / Revue Des Sciences De l’éducation De McGill, 22(003). Retrieved from https://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/7764

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Articles