Wisdom

Lost and Rediscovered

Professor Jim Garrison interviewed by Psychiatrist Dr Nicholas Beecroft. What is wisdom? How is it distinct from knowledge, truth, logic and science? Is it gut feeling, heart-brain, neurological and cognitive short cuts, tapping into electromagnetic energy, consciousness, all of that or something else? Western Science and philosophy evolved for a reason-partly because they work and improve our lives (trains, computers, medicine) and partly because they took us out of mediaeval tyranny of superstition, religious fundamentalism and serfdom. We obviously don't want to go back to that but are becoming aware that we threw out a few babies with the bathwater. How can we access and nurture our wisdom? How can we integrate it with the best of science and reason? Do they synergize or run in parallel or do they apply for different purposes? What would medicine be like if we accessed our wisdom? How do you envisage the world would be if we all learn to use our wisdom? When we drop the rigor of science and reason, there's a risk of falling back into superstitions and false beliefs which at best can be a waste of time, can be harmful. How do you discern what's true from what's wishful thinking, imaginary, delusional or manipulative? 

Dr. Jim Garrison is President and Chairman of Wisdom University. He teaches several courses at Wisdom University, including the core course Wisdom and Civilization. In this interview with Nicholas Beecroft, Jim sets out his vision to restore wisdom to a central place in our way of life. He describes wisdom and its relationship to science and reason. He discusses how wisdom can be used in medicine, politics and says he believes it's essential to our survival. 

Previously, he founded and served as President of the Gorbachev Foundation/USA and the State of the World Forum, both San Francisco-based nonprofit institutions created to establish a global network of leaders dedicated to creating a more sustainable global civilization. With President Gorbachev as its convening chairman, the Forum brought together leaders from around the world in a variety of disciplines to its annual and regional conferences and catalyzed the creation of several independent organizations. 

Dr Nicholas Beecroft, a Military and Organizational Psychiatrist, has spent 25 years exploring the worlds of Medicine, Psychiatry, Business, International Relations and the Military. In the Future of Western Civilization Series, he interviews visionary leaders to discover their inspiring, positive and practical visions for the future and challenges them with incisive questions.

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 1 
Introduction to the Series-Dr Nicholas Beecroft interviewed by Melanie Mortiboys 
British Patriotism-A Newcomer’s Perspective-William Nkata Masembe 
The Next Big Shift-From Machine to Living System-Dr Nicholas Beecroft 
Global Simultaneous Policy Making-Bottom-Up Global Policy-John Bunzl 
The Future of Capitalism-Getting What We Really Want-Jon Freeman 
Transpartisan Politics-The Power of Integrating Diversity-Joseph McCormick 
Creating Heaven on Earth-Taking Small Steps in the Right Direction-Martin Rutte 
Bonds, Fields and Intentions-Culture Catches Up with Science-Lynne McTaggart 
Leadership with Integrity-How to be True to Yourself-Dr Mary Gentile 
Wisdom-Lost and Rediscovered-Professor Jim Garrison 
The Living Universe-Bringing Science, Finance and Society to Life-Dr Elisabet Sahtouris 
Organizational Democracy-10 Steps to Democratic Culture and Leadership-Traci Fenton 

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 2 
The West is Best-Insights from the PR Man to the Stars-Howard Bloom 
Evolutionary Enlightenment-Living from your Creative Impulse-Andrew Cohen 
Renaissance 2-Catalyzing the Second Renaissance-Dr Robin Wood 
Positive Patriotism-The Evolving British-Chris Parish 
The Master Code-The Theory that Explains Everything-Dr Don Beck 

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 3 
Generational Cycles-Predicting the Future-Neil Howe 
Catalyzing Change-Engaging Emergence-Peggy Holman 
Successful Nations-Harnessing the Aspirations of the People-Richard Barrett 
Resurrecting Christianity-Rising to the Challenges of a Complex World-Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali 
German Identity & Patriotism-Healing the Wounds, Integrating the Shadow-Adrian Wagner 
Compassionate Healthcare-Re-humanising Medicine-Dr Robin Youngson 
New Money-The Evolution of Finance-Jordan MacLeod 

Future of Western Civilization Series 1, Book 4 
Unleashing Human Potential-Alignment, Energetics and Connection-Soleira Green 
Wise Democracy-Discovering Solutions to Intractable Problems-Jim Rough 
Mindfulness-Applications for Leaders and Clinicians-Dr Nicholas Beecroft 
Evolutionary Leadership-Conscious Leadership in an Age of Transition-Peter Merry 
The Future of Europe-A View from Inside the European Union-Helen Titchen Beeth 
Ending the Culture War-A Devoted Conservative and a Die-hard Liberal Make Friends-Phil Neisser & Jacob Hess 
The Future of Western Civilization Progress Report-Dr Nicholas Beecroft interviewed by Melanie Mortiboys