The Patterning Instinct

A Cultural History of Humanity’s Search for Meaning

By: Jeremy Lent, Fritjof Capra - foreword

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 19 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

This fresh perspective on crucial questions of history identifies the root metaphors that cultures have used to construct meaning in their world. It offers a glimpse into the minds of a vast range of different peoples: early hunter-gatherers and farmers, ancient Egyptians, traditional Chinese sages, the founders of Christianity, trailblazers of the Scientific Revolution, and those who constructed our modern consumer society.

Taking the listener on an archaeological exploration of the mind, the author, an entrepreneur and sustainability leader, uses recent findings in cognitive science and systems theory to reveal the hidden layers of values that form today's cultural norms. Uprooting the tired clichés of the science-religion debate, he shows how medieval Christian rationalism acted as an incubator for scientific thought, which, in turn, shaped our modern vision of the conquest of nature. The author probes our current crisis of unsustainability and argues that it is not an inevitable result of human nature, but is culturally driven: a product of particular mental patterns that could conceivably be reshaped. By shining a light on our possible futures, the book foresees a coming struggle between two contrasting views of humanity: one driving to a technological endgame of artificially enhanced humans, the other enabling a sustainable future arising from our intrinsic connectedness with each other and the natural world. This struggle, it concludes, is one in which each of us will play a role through the meaning we choose to forge from the lives we lead.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2017 Jeremy Lent and Fritjof Capra (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Wonderful book! Changes your perspective on the human race and where we might be going.

I really enjoyed this book, to the point where I had to go out and buy a hard copy. Having been very depressed about the state of our nation and the world in general, reading this book has shifted my perspective, given me a sense of something to work towards, and a deeper understanding of

Best science and philosophy read ever.

This is by far the most thought provoking book of its kind of which I heard. The historical, scientific, phylosophycal, and theological aspects brought to light are boundless. I am on my third listen and am continuing to enjoy the concepts presented.
Anyone that wonders about the history of great ideas involving the evolution of thought throughout history will be entertained for hours.
This audiobook should be required listen for all secondary science teachers as well as history teachers.

Good but grossly reductionistic

From my perspective, The patterning instinct is a good book which (for all its effort), fails to be great. The main reason for this is the author's highly selective retelling of history to help bolster his preference for ancient eastern patterns of thought. For instance, Lent focuses heavily on the failures of western society while merely skimming over the otrocities of Eastern (think Chinese) civilization. While he waxes poetically on the marvels and achievements of ancient Chinese culture, he very rarely mentions the seeds of altruistic humanism embedded in ancient helenistic philosophies, which later flowered in judeo-christian beliefs. I would have given this book a higher rating if it were not for the author's failure to recognize the good which flowed from systems of civilizations which he obviously distains. This lopsided presentation caused me to doubt the authors objectivity on matters and topics which I am not as acquainted with. For all that, the book has flashes of greatness. I enjoyed listening to it and will most likely listen a second time. Yet, let the listener beware that the author's preferences for eastern patterns of thought skew his ability to remain objective in his presentation of history. To tell a half truth is (at best) to distort reality...at worst...its down right manipulation.

Wordflooding

A lot of words, a lot of history of ancient philosophy and religion. Ordinary content, masquerading as a new original take on human nature.

Largely a waste of time, don't recommend it

The book's basic premise is: "Culture shapes values and values shape history." Pretty straightforward and a view I mostly agree with, even though it's a bit reductionistic. The problem with the book, however, is that it tries to cover an enormously large range of topics with the author obviously being at best an amateur in each of them. Some completely bizarre statements are made from which Lent makes huge overarching deductions. For example, in linguistics, he makes a ridiculous claim that the Greeks invented the definite article and that that allowed them to make better abstractions; In history that the chief reason why the Spaniards managed to conquer the Aztec was that they were willing to be treacherous; He cooks down Plato's philosophy to a simple dualism and he seems to view Confucianism and Daoism to be far more compatible than they actually are. These are just a few examples, but obviously, I'm not going to count all of them here. All of this is very vaguely connected with overarching themes of patterns, which he's not even that effective at showing. Mostly he just talks about the importance of metaphors, not of patterns and that he openly admits he's borrowing from Lakoff, so honestly you're just better off reading Lakoff himself.

His criticism of the western cultures is not something I have a problem with, all the things he mentions that the west did do merit criticism. He does however seem to think that the west alone was viciously imperialistic, which is just ridiculous. He has a very fond view of China and repeatedly argues that the sort of imperialism practiced by the west wouldn't even occur to China because they're more reverent of nature or some nonsense. China - the fourth biggest empire in history - was apparently not interested in conquest and was only seeking harmony.

The last two chapters are about the impending climate catastrophe we're heading into and how we need to rethink the way we think in order to avoid it. I do absolutely agree with that part of the book.

Long story short: if you know the basics of anthropology, philosophy, linguistics and cognitive science, the book has very little to offer you. If you don't know those basics, please don't read this book, because you'll be learning about those topics from a man not really qualified to talk about them and you'll get a very skewed perspective.

60 por ciento habla de religión

No es lo que esperaba. El titulo confunde. Los primeros capitulos estan bien. Luego explica las distintas religiones.

A must read

Essential reading for everyone who wants to learn about our past and cares about the future of humanity.

Excellent.

I just wrote a glowing review of this book, and how it’s so great on so many levels, but audible is stupid and did not save it, and I don’t have time to rewrite anything that eloquent. This book is great and everyone who isn’t stupid, or even has the potential to not be stupid, should definitely read it.

Essential

This is the guidebook for our time, or at least one of the most important ones.
A comprehensive view of the trajectory of humanity throughout history and into the present day, as well as the alternate futures that lie before us based upon the choices we make, both individually and collectively. This book offers a clear examination of how our values and culture are shaped, and how we might engage with that process creatively in order to integrate more fully with the planet and help direct us into greater thriving and a more sustainable world.

a treasure trove of wisdom and history

I've already listened to Lent's "Web of Meaning", but George Monbiot, a man I greatly admire, recommended this book and described Jeremy Lent as (paraphrasing) one of the most important philosophers of our time. I couldn't agree more. In a time where we face civilization-level crises, a world-economy in decline and widespread experiences of meaninglessness, his books are exactly what we need to consider and reflect on alternative world-views and values.

Broad and Focused

What did you like most about The Patterning Instinct?

It provides a comprehensive learning experience through the history of man and presents a compelling argument for the routing of understanding and being. It's written expansively, sympathetically, transparently, compassionately and with a focus and pacing that impels one to continue on.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

As someone quite new to reading deeply into the human condition and its developments, this book further motivated me to continue my learning. It taught me much and opened my mind to many new discoveries and yet many new questions.

Any additional comments?

I can highly recommend this book. The narration is strong and intelligent and Jeremy Lent's effort here is to be seriously considered and pondered upon. I will surely look into his future work, of which I hope there is much.

little bit dissapointing

not sure about this one .. seemed a bit ironic that while he is saying language and culture form our societies.. and new ideas could take us in new directions (so far so good) and his stated intention is to help nudge humanity toward a more humane and sustainable future with higher quality of life while reducing the negative impact on the planet etc... and yet there are no new ideas in the book!.. it reads like a series of book reviews.. its basically a compendium of cultural histories and insights from other writers ..loosely stiched together with a tenuous "patterning" theme.. and finishes with a pretty weak conclusion.. bit dissapointing .. well read though and an entertaining overview for people not allready familiar with the topics discussed..

This has inspired me

This book is chock full of ideas. I feel I could read it agan and get just as much out of it.

Great Book

Essential book

This is a deep-laid examination of the ideas humanity has come up with in response to development from prehistoric times through to the modern age (and beyond), ideas which have in turn fostered change.

Are we on a path where the destruction of the climate and familiar life is inevitable or do we still have the ability to change course?

There is no bigger question and this book extends some hope.

I very much valued reading it as an audiobook. The human voice helps you through the hard stuff. Ultimately that in a way is its message. The more we connect with each other, with ourselves, and with the natural world, the better our chance of saving things.

Who do I recommend it to? Everyone. No exceptions. One key fact presented in the book is that once 3.5% of the population engages actively in a protest movement, change is unstoppable. So I recommend this book to at least 3.5% of you.

I found it through an article by George Monbiot in the Guardian. Thank you to him if he ever reads this review.

Inspiring and enlightening

This compelling book, the winner of two Nautilus 2022 awards in the categories of “World Cultures, transformational growth and development” and “Science and Cosmology”, addresses with profound clarity how humanity’s loss of balance within ourselves and with the natural world has brought civilization to the brink of collapse. It also suggests a way out – a path of integration, recognizing our deep interconnectedness, that could lead toward a new ecological civilization. The Web of Meaning is a call for acknowledging what both our newest science and our oldest spiritual traditions (including Buddhist, Neo-Confucian and Indigenous philosophies) tell us: that we are all inextricably interconnected with one another and with nature. Development students, practitioners and scholars engaging with this book will recognise strong connections between their personal efforts to contribute to “positive changes” in the world and the reflections from the book, which might ultimately reinforce their deepest convictions and motivation.

A different read. Must read

A very interesting work which offers a radically different understanding of human history and evolution

Essential thinking for anyone interested in the future of our planet

Brilliant exploration of human thought and action since hunter-gatherers to our current global community and problems. Anyone who thinks they have ‘the answer’ should listen to this.

Phenomenal

Take it as a marathon rather than a sprint and you won't regret having tackled it

options and understanding for the future

loved it so much truth in this book its hard to put down a real winner

Incredibly interesting, well written and wonderfully narrated

This book was brilliant and is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of human thought. Packed with information and interesting insights into portions of history we often hear little about. He makes it easy to understand why we’ve ended up here, why our society is structured as it is, what possible futures might look like, and how we could build on the principles of systems thinking to reimagine a better future.