Trump and a Post Truth World - Ken Wilber

[DrYouth]

Here is my Goodreads review on this little book.

This is essentially a long essay by Ken Wilber on his analysis of Trump's rise to power. Wilber is best known for his Integral theory, a theory on psychological development and it's implications for individuals and society. I found his arguments persuasive and enlightening. In essence Wilber argues that society has evolved in stages from an egocentric worldview to an ethnocentric worldview and further to a world centric (believe in progress,, free speech, merit, free trade etc) and finally to it's most recent progressive (oppose oppression of any vulnerable group, see global warning as a serious threat etc) worldview. Each of these stages involves a widening of perspective where individuals are able to empathize with a widening and more inclusive "self", excluding an ever smaller "other". Wilber argues that with each of these shifts a percentage of people remain in the previous stage, such that as of today in the west, 60% remain in ethnocentric and egocentric stages, 25% would be world centric and 10% progressive. Wilber argues convincingly that the rise of Trump is as much about a failure in the leadership of the progressive "leading edge" of society as it is related to Trump's ethnocentric base. Wilber's critique of progressivism is withering and I believe very accurate. His main points are that progressive's demonstrate contempt and often persecution of the "evils" of ethnocentrism, without awareness that this is developmental stage, not a personal choice. Progressives also remain trapped in a worldview characterized by postmodernism and it's self-defeating egalitarianism of all morality and deconstruction of truth itself in a miasmic relativism. Progressives have an aversion to hierarchies, seeing all hierarchies as oppressive and here Wilber introduces us to growth hierarchies that are inclusive and transcending. Wilber then goes on to prescribe the cure. He points the way for progressives to move forward and take an effective leadership role again. He posits further that a new developmental stage lies ahead which he calls "integral", claiming 5% are already there and that a tipping point exists at the 10% mark with much promise for this upcoming and desperately needed stage in human history.

[Speaker to Animals]

We could also just remove all of them from power before the progressives destroy our civilization.

[TheReal_ND]

Wilber argues convincingly that the rise of Trump is as much about a failure in the leadership of the progressive "leading edge" of society as it is related to Trump's ethnocentric base

[SuburbanFarmer]

Each of those phases involves a rather dramatic snap backwards, as society catches up.

I’d say we’re about to witness one shortly. Old views take time to be changed.

[Okeefenokee]

The old view is that liars are to be despised.

That's what he wants to see go away.