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Man unfolding
The first book by the renowned research physician-biologist, developer of the Salk anti-polio vaccine, is intended to suggest how ways of thinking that make use of the extensive biological knowledge at the molecular, cellular, and organismic levels we have acquired during recent decades can be extended and applied to some of the vital social, psychological and ethical problems we face.
Dr. Salk proposes that we develop a "theoretical-experimental way of thought" for evaluating our problems rather than continuing to rely on the more traditional speculative methods. As it becomes possible to reduce the resources, time and energy required for dealing with pathology, they will become increasingly available for dealing with health. With this increased attention to health, problems of disease would, Dr. Salk declares, diminish and a chain reaction would be set in motion to accelerate further the augmentation of health. This requires a totally different orientation than presently prevails.
Man Unfolding points out that we need to become increasingly conscious of the whole of which we are a part, as a species, so that we may function fully, though individually, and in a more healthful way as an element in that whole. By analogy, Dr. Salk suggests how this consciousness can be applied to the larger spectrum of man's concerns.
Dr. Salk believes that change is now our principal problem; the "new man" arising is one who can accept change and contribute to it. He sees this moment in time as a turning point in man's social, psychological and biological evolution. The thought that man is unfinished, is still unfolding, in a developmental and evolutionary sense, provides a measure of hope for those who wish to work toward a more satisfactory life for man on earth.
Dr. Salk proposes that we develop a "theoretical-experimental way of thought" for evaluating our problems rather than continuing to rely on the more traditional speculative methods. As it becomes possible to reduce the resources, time and energy required for dealing with pathology, they will become increasingly available for dealing with health. With this increased attention to health, problems of disease would, Dr. Salk declares, diminish and a chain reaction would be set in motion to accelerate further the augmentation of health. This requires a totally different orientation than presently prevails.
Man Unfolding points out that we need to become increasingly conscious of the whole of which we are a part, as a species, so that we may function fully, though individually, and in a more healthful way as an element in that whole. By analogy, Dr. Salk suggests how this consciousness can be applied to the larger spectrum of man's concerns.
Dr. Salk believes that change is now our principal problem; the "new man" arising is one who can accept change and contribute to it. He sees this moment in time as a turning point in man's social, psychological and biological evolution. The thought that man is unfinished, is still unfolding, in a developmental and evolutionary sense, provides a measure of hope for those who wish to work toward a more satisfactory life for man on earth.
- GenresSciencePhilosophy
118 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
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About the author
Jonas Salk
21 books33 followersJonas Salk is one of the most famous and revered figures of the twentieth century.
He was the developer of the first effective vaccine to prevent polio. Almost overnight, he became internationally famous—a hero to an appreciative public. His legacy survives to this day, and his name and image are instantly recognizable to many.
In the last decades of his life, Salk devoted considerable attention to the development of an evolutionary philosophy that would be the basis for solving some of the most basic problems of humankind. He was the author of four books, including World Population and Human Values: A New Reality, written in 1981 with his son Jonathan. A New Reality is an update, revision and redesign of that title.
Since his death in 1995, Salk and his legacy continue to be well-known. A recent biography (Jonas Salk: A Life by Charlotte Jacobs, Oxford University Press 2015) was included in the New York Times list of the 100 best books of 2015.
Jonas Salk’s wish was that his ideas would continue to be disseminated so that, like a vaccine, they might have the most positive effect on the greatest number of people. The book can be seen as his vaccine.
Learn more at anewrealitybook.com
He was the developer of the first effective vaccine to prevent polio. Almost overnight, he became internationally famous—a hero to an appreciative public. His legacy survives to this day, and his name and image are instantly recognizable to many.
In the last decades of his life, Salk devoted considerable attention to the development of an evolutionary philosophy that would be the basis for solving some of the most basic problems of humankind. He was the author of four books, including World Population and Human Values: A New Reality, written in 1981 with his son Jonathan. A New Reality is an update, revision and redesign of that title.
Since his death in 1995, Salk and his legacy continue to be well-known. A recent biography (Jonas Salk: A Life by Charlotte Jacobs, Oxford University Press 2015) was included in the New York Times list of the 100 best books of 2015.
Jonas Salk’s wish was that his ideas would continue to be disseminated so that, like a vaccine, they might have the most positive effect on the greatest number of people. The book can be seen as his vaccine.
Learn more at anewrealitybook.com
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
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March 8, 2021The idea of the book is this: Man is evolving...so we need to be more aware of the role each individual plays in this big process...so that we put our efforts into achieving a better something...
What exactly is this better future? And by what criteria judging? And why should I desire that good?
Basic evolutionary materialistic inconsistency that tries to look smart.
What exactly is this better future? And by what criteria judging? And why should I desire that good?
Basic evolutionary materialistic inconsistency that tries to look smart.
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October 6, 2021From eugenicist and inventor of the polio cure, Mr. Jonas Salk:
Cultural man, free of genetic regulation, at times behaves as a kind of uncontrolled cancer. Pg 105
...the use of drugs may have a paradoxically positive effect by reducing the number, or effectiveness, of those weak in self-control and self-discipline... Pg 100
...much work will have to be done to bring about a measure of control over growth ... of population... Pg 97
For some reason I don't think he's talking about reducing the population of his fellow elite class intellectuals and technocrat gods. So, who do they want to get rid of? And who decides who's good enough to keep around? We are the cancer they want to eradicate! They tell us but no one listens! Just some whacko conspiracy theory, I suppose.
Cultural man, free of genetic regulation, at times behaves as a kind of uncontrolled cancer. Pg 105
...the use of drugs may have a paradoxically positive effect by reducing the number, or effectiveness, of those weak in self-control and self-discipline... Pg 100
...much work will have to be done to bring about a measure of control over growth ... of population... Pg 97
For some reason I don't think he's talking about reducing the population of his fellow elite class intellectuals and technocrat gods. So, who do they want to get rid of? And who decides who's good enough to keep around? We are the cancer they want to eradicate! They tell us but no one listens! Just some whacko conspiracy theory, I suppose.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews