Pierre
Teilhard de Chardin
1881-1955, France,
Mongolia, New York City
Sources: His book, The
Phenomenon of Man
Summary
This French Jesuit priest and paleontologist examined the entire
sweep of evolution from a syncretistic perspective that was equally
scientific, philosophical, and spiritual. He concluded that it was
both inevitable and necessary that humankind should evolve beyond
the present age of individualism and dissension, into one of global
conscious unity. He called the historical point at which the transition
will be made the Omega Point. Although he saw it clearly foreshadowed
in the present situation of humanity, particularly in the acceleration
of social evolution fomented by modern technologies, his appreciation
of the evolutionary time scale led him to believe that it might
naturally be several thousand more years before the Omega Point
was reached.
Commentary
Teilhard is one of the few great prophets who have arisen out of
science. Neither was the Catholic Church able to stifle his unique
voice: Teilhard exiled himself to rural China, in effect, and wrote
what he had to write, although The Phenomenon of Man and
other works could not be published until after his death.
The power of Teilhard's vision inheres in the fact that it takes
in all of evolutionary science, yet is fundamentally spiritual and
mystical. His books are rather dense at times, yet his heart and
soul shine from their pages.
I have more to say about Teilhard here.
Next:
George Washington
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