Description
Course Content:
This course explores the case that we are in a double Galilean moment in human history: whereas Galileo had to overcome one false axiom that the “sun goes around the earth” in order to trigger the Scientific Revolution in the 17 th century, we have to overcome two false axioms, the false axiom of consumerism, or the “Greed is Good” rule, and the false axiom of supremacism, or the “Might is Right” rule, in order to trigger the Sustainability Revolution in the 21 st century. In this course, we will create quantitative models for implementing the correct
axioms of inner peace and unity and thereby chart a path for personal and social transformation towards a sustainable, thriving future for humanity.
The topics that will be covered are as follows:
Session 1: Overview of the course
Session 2: Why Separation is a Delusion
Session 3: The Urgency of Reversing Environmental and Social Degradation
Session 4: The Two False Axioms of Modern Industrial Civilization
Session 5: The Killing and Burning Machines
Session 6: The Climate Bathtub Formulation
Session 7: The Berkana Two Loops Model for Transformation
Session 8: The Two Correct Axioms of a Sustainable Civilization
Session 9: The Greatest Transformation in Human History
Session 10: The Seven Strategic Actions
Session 11: Student and Teacher Reflections on the Course
Course Learning Objectives:
In this course students will be able to:
1. Understand the profound impact of Hindu teachings on our worldly outlook and how it changes our story telling
2. Appreciate the impact that the games we play have on the world around us.
3. Devise new games that can transform ourselves and transform our world.
4.Understand that the quest for global sustainability is a collective one in which we all have a duty to help our fellow humans and fellow beings.
5.Discover the enormous breadth, variety, and depth of Hindu Dharmic teachings.
Class Structure:
The class will meet once a week for up to 90 minutes. The teacher’s presentation, with the help of audio and video recordings, will last approximately 45 minutes. The remaining time will be devoted to questions and open discussion. There will be 10 such sessions followed by an additional session devoted to the presentation and discussion of student and teacher
reflections regarding what they learned from the course and how they expect it will influence their lives
Prerequisites: None
Area of Study: Conflict and Peace Studies
Faculty / Instructor: Dr. Sailesh Rao
Required / Elective: Elective
Start Date: July 13, 2022
End Date: September 21, 2022
Time: 9.00 pm EST – 10.30 pm EST
Day: Wednesday
Quarter Offered: Summer 2022
