What do you think?
Rate this book
The inner limits of mankind: Heretical reflections on today's values, culture, and politics
An examination of contemporary values and attitudes in which a systems scientist and philosopher explore ways in which each of us can contribute to their transformation, and argue for the emergence of a new, globally-oriented, environmentally-conscious, spiritually-aware, thinking person.
79 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1978
1 person is currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Ervin Laszlo
223 books227 followersErvin Laszlo is a systems philosopher, integral theorist, and classical pianist. Twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, he has authored more than 70 books, which have been translated into nineteen languages, and has published in excess of four hundred articles and research papers, including six volumes of piano recordings.
Dr. Laszlo is generally recognized as the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory, and serves as the founder-director of the General Evolution Research Group and as past president of the International Society for the Systems Sciences. He is also the recipient of the highest degree in philosophy and human sciences from the Sorbonne, the University of Paris, as well as of the coveted Artist Diploma of the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest. Additional prizes and awards include four honorary doctorates.
His appointments have included research grants at Yale and Princeton Universities, professorships for philosophy, systems sciences, and future sciences at the Universities of Houston, Portland State, and Indiana, as well as Northwestern University and the State University of New York. His career also included guest professorships at various universities in Europe and the Far East. In addition, he worked as program director for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). In 1999 he was was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Canadian International Institute of Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics.
For many years he has served as president of the Club of Budapest, which he founded. He is an advisor to the UNESCO Director General, ambassador of the International Delphic Council, member of both the International Academy of Science, World Academy of Arts and Science, and the International Academy of Philosophy.
Dr. Laszlo is generally recognized as the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory, and serves as the founder-director of the General Evolution Research Group and as past president of the International Society for the Systems Sciences. He is also the recipient of the highest degree in philosophy and human sciences from the Sorbonne, the University of Paris, as well as of the coveted Artist Diploma of the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest. Additional prizes and awards include four honorary doctorates.
His appointments have included research grants at Yale and Princeton Universities, professorships for philosophy, systems sciences, and future sciences at the Universities of Houston, Portland State, and Indiana, as well as Northwestern University and the State University of New York. His career also included guest professorships at various universities in Europe and the Far East. In addition, he worked as program director for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). In 1999 he was was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Canadian International Institute of Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics.
For many years he has served as president of the Club of Budapest, which he founded. He is an advisor to the UNESCO Director General, ambassador of the International Delphic Council, member of both the International Academy of Science, World Academy of Arts and Science, and the International Academy of Philosophy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 22, 2025
Heretical reflections from 1989, that prove no less heretical now (especially right now - February 2025, second term of Muskified Trumpanity) and no nearer resolution in a "happy ending".
"Justice in the world community calls for increasing equity between poor and rich, powerless and powerful. Full equity is far down the road, if indeed it ever becomes feasible. But the enormous gaps, whereby the richest ten per cent of the world population earns three dozen times more than the poorest ten per cent, can and must be reduced."
Another 35 years travel down that long road, no destination in sight. Perhaps it's on Mars?
"Justice in the world community calls for increasing equity between poor and rich, powerless and powerful. Full equity is far down the road, if indeed it ever becomes feasible. But the enormous gaps, whereby the richest ten per cent of the world population earns three dozen times more than the poorest ten per cent, can and must be reduced."
Another 35 years travel down that long road, no destination in sight. Perhaps it's on Mars?
April 7, 2016
This book shifted my consciousness in a significant way.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews