On Equilibrium
by John Ralston Saul
On This Page
Description
"Is sacrificing one's life for a higher goal admirable? How can we actually determine "evil" and "good" in the daily world? These are practical questions which cut to the very heart of what it means to be human. John Ralston Saul, in his matter-of-fact discussion of six basic human qualities -- common sense, ethics, imagination, intuition, memory, and reason -- confronts these concepts in a manner not done since Thomas Paine more than two centuries ago." "In a popular, easy-to-understand show more style, Saul explains why essential qualities of being human cannot exist in isolation, but both depend on and enrich each other. Balance is key. On Equilibrium is a ground-breaking and persuasive exploration of the human struggle for personal and social balance. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
What does John Ralston Saul's influential philosophical trilogy Voltaire's Bastards, The Doubter's Companion and The Unconscious Civilization mean for the real lives of individuals? Is it possible to apply his groundbreaking theories to everyday life?
On Equilibrium presents us with a virtual "how to" of the ways that ideas can translate into action. Saul explains how our different qualities give us the intelligence, self-confidence and ability to think and act as responsible individuals.
Saul argues that when human qualities are worshipped in isolation they become weaknesses, even forces of destruction or self-destruction. In short, they become ideologies. But as he explores the qualities he has identified as being necessary to show more integrated human behaviour, he shows us that the key is to use these qualities in combination. How can we use these qualities as positive forces in our own lives and in society? How can we use them to reinforce us as humans?
On Equilibrium is an intelligent, persuasive and controversial exploration of the essential qualities of humanity and how to use them to achieve equilibrium for the self and for an ethical society. It is a logical, compelling and humane successor to his bestselling trilogy. show less
On Equilibrium presents us with a virtual "how to" of the ways that ideas can translate into action. Saul explains how our different qualities give us the intelligence, self-confidence and ability to think and act as responsible individuals.
Saul argues that when human qualities are worshipped in isolation they become weaknesses, even forces of destruction or self-destruction. In short, they become ideologies. But as he explores the qualities he has identified as being necessary to show more integrated human behaviour, he shows us that the key is to use these qualities in combination. How can we use these qualities as positive forces in our own lives and in society? How can we use them to reinforce us as humans?
On Equilibrium is an intelligent, persuasive and controversial exploration of the essential qualities of humanity and how to use them to achieve equilibrium for the self and for an ethical society. It is a logical, compelling and humane successor to his bestselling trilogy. show less
A bracing and typically pungent call to balanced humanism, which seems like it may well be the only way up and out of the consumerist spiral in which we seem trapped. The wilful obscurity can make it a tiresome read at times, though.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Non-Fiction Worth Reading
1,016 works; 262 members
Author Information
23+ Works 3,795 Members
John Ralston Saul is an award-winning essayist and novelist and the president of PEN International. He holds a PhD from King's College London. His books are available in thirty-one countries and have been translated into twenty-three languages. He is the recipient of Chile's Pablo Neruda Medal, Canada's Governor General's Award and Italy's Premio show more Letterario Internazionale, among others. He is a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de France. He lives in Toronto. show less
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2001
- Dedication
- For Michelle Lapautre, Mike Shaw, Olga Villalba, Michael Levine, Robin Straus, Ursula Bender, Anoukh Foerg, Roberto Santachara, Diana Mackay and in memory of Bernard Paul who brought the profound civilization of a humanist to... (show all) all of our conversations in Eygalieres.
- First words
- Most mornings we turn a door-handle and walk out into a larger world.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)This is our eternal movement towards equilibrium.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 383
- Popularity
- 81,904
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.38)
- Languages
- English, French
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 8
- ASINs
- 3
