Our Battle for the Human Spirit
Scientific Knowing, Technical Doing, and Daily Living
- Publisher
- University of Toronto Press
- Initial publish date
- Jun 2016
- Category
- General, History, General, Social Aspects, Religion, Politics & State
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781487520359
- Publish Date
- Jun 2016
- List Price
- $50.00
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781487500474
- Publish Date
- Jun 2016
- List Price
- $108.00
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781487511111
- Publish Date
- Aug 2016
- List Price
- $40.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Western society has become saturated with scientific and technological modes of thinking that impact our lives and our relationships. Expanding social inequality, the use of social media and the rise of mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression are manifestations of this shift in our civilization.
Our Battle for the Human Spirit is a comprehensive probe into what is happening to human life in the beginning of the 21st century. It explores how culture, experience, and symbolization have been replaced by scientific, discipline-based, approaches. Willem H. Vanderburg argues that these approaches are inadequate in understanding the complexity of human lives and societies. In order to transcend these limits, Vanderburg calls for the reintegration of culture and symbolization into our daily lives.
About the author
Willem H. Vanderburg is a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, where he was the founding director of the Centre for Technology and Social Development. He was a NATO post-doctoral fellow under Jacques Ellul from 1973 to 1978 at the University of Bordeaux.