Global modelling for humanity

Global modelling is a unique tool, capable of structuring knowledge of the world in a way permitting mankind to choose future paths to extricate the world from its current mess. Three studies are proposed, one aim being to involve as many people as possible in contemplating the future. Modellers are urged to pursue their activities vigorously.     

人性复苏后的私欲泛滥

文艺复兴时代是一个伟大的时代,一个产生巨人的时代。文艺复兴在文化艺术方面成就了一种高度,一种需要后人去仰视的高度。无论后世的文化是怎样的流派纷呈,怎样以多元性和开放性而著称,也无论后世涌现出了多少伟大的作家和伟大的作品,有一点却是无法否认的,它们实际都是站在巨人的肩膀上。     

中非合作开创人类新的发展道路

中国进出口银行董事长、行长李若谷高度评价中非合作的意义,他说：从发展角度看,中非合作的意义已上升到了促进全人类发展的层次。中国和非洲都有着悠久的历史和灿烂的文明,都拥有相同或相近的民族独立和民族解放的奋斗历程,都属于发展中国家的阵营,又都面临着共同的发展任务。中国与非洲合作方式具有全球意义     

The twilight of the Baconian age and the future of humanity

Our times are the product of the unfolding of the Baconian program, articulated nearly 400 years ago by Sir Francis Bacon, which has been extraordinarily successful and has underpinned the worldwide expansion of Western civilization. However, in a paradoxical manner, the triumph of Bacon's program ended up undermining its own foundations. As we enter into the 21st century, we are witnessing the twilight of the Baconian age and we must embark in the search for a new program to mobilize human endeavors. This requires examining the logic and the underlying assumptions of the Baconian program, assessing the way in which they have been questioned by their own results and products, and exploring how to design and put in practice a new program to fully realize the human potential. This new program must build on the achievements of the Baconian age, but also acknowledge its limitations. This might, for example, call for putting emotions and feelings on a qualitative par with reason, and also for incorporating the contributions of non-Western cultural perspectives into the design of a new program for humanity.     

Public perceptions of future threats to humanity and different societal responses: A cross-national study

There is growing scientific evidence that humanity faces a number of threats that jeopardize its future. Public perceptions of these threats, both their risks and reactions to them, are important in determining how humanity confronts and addresses the threats. This study investigated the perceived probability of threats to humanity and different responses to them (nihilism, fundamentalism and activism), in four Western nations: the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Overall, a majority (54%) rated the risk of our way of life ending within the next 100 years at 50% or greater, and a quarter (24%) rated the risk of humans being wiped out at 50% or greater. The responses were relatively uniform across countries, age groups, gender and education level, although statistically significant differences exist.Almost 80% agreed “we need to transform our worldview and way of life if we are to create a better future for the world” (activism). About a half agreed that “the world’s future looks grim so we have to focus on looking after ourselves and those we love” (nihilism), and over a third that “we are facing a final conflict between good and evil in the world” (fundamentalism). The findings offer insight into the willingness of humanity to respond to the challenges identified by scientists and warrant increased consideration in scientific and political debate.