Today, we observe disturbing phenomena accompanying technical civilization’s dynamic development. While noticing the great benefits and achievements of civilizational development, we also experience the challenges and difficulties that humanity and our planet face today. Konrad Lorenz with his “layered” concept of man is the key to analyzing civilizational changes and, consequently, identifying threats and indicating possible solutions. Lorenz’s concept allows him to identify eight “deadly sins” of civilized humanity, which challenge human civilization and even threaten humans’ very humanity. Three of Lorenz’s eight “sins” seem particularly important for the practice of philosophy: (1) overpopulation, (2) man’s race against himself, and (3) indoctrinability. As a result of the significant acceleration in the development of our civilization that we have observed since the Neolithic Revolution, we see both obstacles and catalysts to the development and practice of philosophy – this specifically human ability. While in the initial period of civilizational development the consequences of the Neolithic revolution contributed to the development of philosophy, now they make it challenging to practice philosophy. Lorenz’s “sins” contribute to human loneliness, neurotic hyperactivity and to the unification of culture. All these factors constitute obstacles to philosophy. The answer to these threats is to create communities where people can establish deep interpersonal relationships and share their life experiences. Another helpful factor is contact with nature, which helps slow the pace of life and escape from the overwhelming noise that prevents reflection on the meaning of human existence.
From the article: "It seems that a solution to these problems can be found in the creation of small communities in which people can establish deep interpersonal relationships, find friends with whom they can share their life experiences, and inspire each other to perceive themselves, others, and the world from an ever-changing perspective. Another vital antidote to the consequences of Lorenz’s “deadly sins” is to slow down the pace of life, at least temporarily. We can achieve that by creating a space of silence that allows people to rethink their life priorities and the meaning of their current activities. Religions and the forms of meditation and reflection they have developed help to achieve this goal. The religious perspective allows people to look at their lives from a diachronic, eschatological perspective and is a remedy for short-sighted and ad hoc actions. Contact with nature also seems essential in this respect. Exercising outdoors and getting away from the noise creates conditions that calm human thoughts, slow the pace of life, and enable people to reflect on the purpose of their immediate and further actions. Hence, it seems that philosophy provides hope for the successful development of human civilization" (s. 107).
Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. The Neolithic Revolution. A brief outline. 3. Konrad Lorenz’s “layered” concept of man. 4. The “deadly sins” of civilized humanity. 5. Philosophy and Lorenz’s “deadly sins”. 5.1. Overpopulation according to Lorenz. 5.2. Overpopulation and philosophy. 5.3. Man’s race against himself according to Lorenz. 5.4. Man’s race against himself and philosophy. 5.5. Indoc-trinability according to Lorenz. 5.6. Indoctrinability and philosophy. 6. Conclusion.
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