Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction

1. The Hidden Paradox of Human History

I. Homo Empathicus

2. The New View of Human Nature

3. A Sentient Interpretation of Biological Evolution

4. Becoming Human

5. Rethinking the Meaning of the Human Journey

II. Empathy and Civilization

6. The Ancient Theological Brain and Patriarchal Economy

7. Cosmopolitan Rome and the Rise of Urban Christianity

8. The Soft Industrial Revolution of the Late Medieval Era

and the Birth of Humanism

9. Ideological Thinking in a Modern Market Economy

10. Psychological Consciousness in a Postmodern Existential

World

III. The Age of Empathy

11. The Climb to Global Peak Empathy

12. The Planetary Entropic Abyss

13. The Emerging Era of Distributed Capitalism

14. The Theatrical Self in an Improvisational Society

15. Biosphere Consciousness in a Climax Economy

Notes

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

Reviews

"A brilliant read ... that boldly challenges the conventional view of human nature embedded in our educational systems, business practices, and political culture." Huffington Post "The kind of reading fans of Jared Diamond and Richard Dawkins can sink their teeth into, with a contagious sense of urgency over whether we can 'reach biosphere consciousness and global empathy in time to avert planetary collapse.'" Publishers Weekly "A thoroughly entertaining read." Socialist Unity "Many in the scholarly, religious, and political fields praise Jeremy Rifkin for a willingness to think big, raise controversial questions, and serve as a social and ethical prophet." New York Times Rifkin is "one of the leading big-picture thinkers of our day." Utne Reader "Rifkin poses real questions that we've spent too little time thinking about." Washington Post