Paul Kingsnorth is tired of talking about the scope of the climate crisis. In his view, we can’t fix climate change. But we can uncover the spiritual root of the problem and explore how we might live through it.
Paul is the founder of The Dark Mountain Project and a prolific writer of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. His latest release, the novel Alexandria, serves as the capstone of the acclaimed Buckmaster Trilogy. On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Paul joins Ross to discuss the connection between transhumanism and the climate crisis, explaining what’s behind our ideology against limits and why he believes the mind and soul can’t live separate from the body.
Paul shares his take on capitalism versus distributism, describing how systems of radical local democracy would root us in community and prevent the kind of scale that leads to tyranny. Listen in for Paul’s insight on the emptying of the will at the heart of most religious traditions and learn why a connection with something greater than ourselves is key to effective activism.
Key Takeaways
[3:34] Paul’s take on the connection between transhumanism and the climate crisis
Myth that humans are separate from nature and can control with tech
See nature as collection of resources to be used vs. living beings
[7:57] The philosophical question around living within limits vs. breaking them all
Every spiritual tradition teaches that we’re part of something bigger
Attempts to abolish limits, behave like gods has led to climate crisis
[10:43] The best literary arguments against transhumanism
Can’t do things of value without constraints, limitless world becomes hell
Mind and soul can’t live separate from body as technotopians believe
[18:12] How Paul thinks about the dualism of body and soul
No separation of body and soul in original Christian tradition
‘World is alive, we are alive and intimately part of it’
[21:26] Paul’s insight on our ideology against limits
Modern western liberalism created notion of autonomous individual
No shared values, can’t see why anyone should tell us what to do
[24:48] Why Paul tends to resist political labels
Conservative sensibility in some ways, radical in others (capitalism = monster)
Danger in selfish culture that eliminates all but individual and marketplace
[28:29] Paul’s thoughts on distributism vs. capitalism
Capitalism doesn’t evolve naturally when people value community and place
Radical local democracy prevents tyranny through limits on scale
[33:05] The negative impact of a world that feels too big to be involved in
Politics become substitute for religion and community, feel out of control
Connected to everything that happens in world and yet nothing at all
[36:42] What inspired Paul’s move to the Irish countryside
Spent many years writing about nature, time to get hands dirty
Want to be part of rooted community that isn’t just human
[39:09] The central teaching of Christianity and most religious traditions
Emptying of will over triumph of will, aspire to radical humility
Strength in serving others, communion with God and creation
[47:08] How Paul incorporates Christian elements in Alexandria
Teachings warn us about very thing ended up doing
Way out = through own heart, love people we disagree with
[54:03] Why Orthodox Christianity appeals to Paul
Full-spectrum physical, mystical experience (not just intellectual)
Provides path to union with God as manifested in natural world
[1:01:16] The role of internal work in politics and activism
Demonizing people who disagree doesn’t solve anything
Individual at core of secular theology novel in modern, Western culture
[1:06:22] How Paul’s thinking on spirituality is reflected in his writing
Centers on two great loves of life-wild nature and rooted communities
Explores spiritual questions about what we value and how we act
[1:10:01] The common thread among the religious traditions Paul has practiced
Connect with God universally in a localized way
Powerful recognition of spirit of place
#PaulKingsnorth #Orthodoxy #Alexandria
26 сен 2024