What Can Gregory Bateson’s ‘Ecology of Mind’ Teach Us about the Human Genome?

The human genome represents a major scientific achievement which will influence human societies in the 21st century and beyond. In this article I argue that the use of Gregory Bateson’s ‘Ecology of Mind’ is a relevant theoretical concept for unpacking our understanding of the human genome. Bateson’s cybernetic model proffers new ways of constructing the human genome which takes into account human biological and cultural evolution. In Bateson’s Ecology of Mind, genes embody unities which are apparent in biological and social systems. Knowledge of such unities demands a certain kind of human gnosis – ways of knowing which avoid Cartesian constructions of knowledge, but rather encourage critical understanding.

Invoking Kairos: Reflections on Islam and Christianity in the New World

The totalitarian ideology was pivoted on the hubris ridden ‘right to rule’ as a pretext for creating a new world order. Their social and political agendas actualised the Greek concept of kairos a divinely ordained or opportune time to act. In the contemporary period, the notion of the new world order has been linked to the perceived threat which globalisation poses for human rights and the environment. My use of kairos in this essay is informed by the metaphysics of the Andalusian Sufi master, Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165-1240 ce), which asserts the constant self-disclosure of Divine consciousness within human history, culture and nature (Coates 2002:82-83). It is thesociological implications of Ibn Arabi’s ontology that gives us an invaluable insight for examining kairos in relation to the dialogic with Islam and Christianity, and its implications on world peace

REINVENTING NATURE: THOMAS BERRY'S "NEW STORY" AS UNIVERSAL COMMUNITAS

This paper will provide an overview of how nature has been constructed as 'Other', and discuss ways of challenging this worldview via Thomas Berry's notion of the "New Story". Elaborating on Victor Turner's concept of communitas, I will propose that the "New Story" is an assertion to a universal communitas

Mystical Strategies: Sufism in the 21st Century

Like other traditional Islamic forms of religious and social expression, Sufism is becoming increasingly challenged by the forces of modernism and by the Islamicist movements. Yet, because of its tolerant view of other religious disciplines, there is great potential for Sufism to have a positive impact on the social evolution of Muslim and non-Muslim societies in the 21st century. This paper will investigate how Sufism can come to terms with this new social environment and its entourage of modernist and Islamicist logics. It involves an overview of Sufism’s past to give some insight as to how it can respond to the 21st century

Visions of Ecumenism in a Troubled World: Sufism in the 21st Century

Arguably, the post September 11 world has been characterized by defining cultures along civilisational lines in accordance with Samuel Huntington’s notion of The Clash of Civilisations. According to Huntington, Islam is antithetical to Western civilization, ideologically, politically and historically. Furthermore, Islam poses a potential threat to ‘enlightened’ Western nations. In this paper I will propose how Sufism may provide an alternate vision for promoting ecumenism between The West and Islam. It can provide a humanizing response to the emergence of modernist models and their ruthless debunking of traditional forms of religion and cultural systems

Dragons: Myth and the Cosmic Powers

This essay investigates the significance of dragon mythology in early civilizations. Three mythical dragons are be considered, Zhulong, Apep and Makara. These examples show that the symbol of the dragon represents a triune principle of generativity, vitality and knowledge

Creation of a Creation Myth: Steps Towards a Promethean Age

The role of myth in the context of religion has had considerable theoretical attention. Both psychological and anthropological interpretations of myth have tended to view religion as a modus operandi of cultural behaviours. While such interpretations may be insightful it begs the question as to the role of myth for guiding future societies. This paper will pose the idea that a new myth is needed in order to tackle the major global challenges which humanity is facing. This promethean myth will use ideas from traditionally based religions but will not be dependent on them

Sacred worlds : an analysis of mystical mastery of North Indian Faqirs.

This thesis examines the nature of the mystical complex of faqirs who live in North India. Faqirs are Muslim mystics who regularly engage in various mystical and ascetic practices. I argue that a faqir's mystical complex derives from his concern to express mystical mastery. My focus on faqirs' mystical mastery draws attention to their engagement with the spirit world which informs and shapes their worldview and practices. My ethnography of faqirs' mystical mastery is based on my fieldwork at the thirteenth century Muslim shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya. I examine how faqirs incorporate various kinds of mystical mastery in their every day lives. I explore how faqirs' mystical practices are ways of expressing mystical mastery. A faqir's mystical practices are shown to underpin his concern with personal autonomy, power and existential control. Afaqir's mystical practices also underscore his associations with various spirit beings. My analysis seeks to highlight the experiential dimension of faqirs' mystical mastery which is intrinsically linked to the spirit world. In so doing, I reveal the nexus between faqirs' religious imagination and experience. I also demonstrate that a faqir's relation with spirit beings is on going and plays a crucial part in shaping his mystical identity. As I will show, faqirs' mystical practices are complemented by their various physical and intuitive perceptions which frame their experience of mystical mastery. My analysis steers away from more traditional accounts of Islamic mysticism which tend to focus on a mystic's attempt towards achieving mystical union with the Divine other, to an exploration of a faqir's existential struggle for power and personal autonomy. My investigations of the every day lives of faqirs at the Nizamuddin shrine provide insightful trajectories for exploring these themes and offering a different appro ach for examining Indian faqirs.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Anthropology, 200

Extreme heat and climate change: adaptation in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities

AbstractBackground: Several overseas studies have identified that people in ethnic minority groups are at greater risk during heatwaves. However, there is a paucity of information on this issue in Australia. With a highly multicultural society, it is important that vulnerable subpopulations and minority groups are recognised and considered in climate change discussions and the formulation of adaptation strategies.Objective: To identify cultural, socioeconomic and linguistic factors affecting vulnerability to heat and climate change in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to identify vulnerable subgroups, and where appropriate to recommend ways to increase adaptive capacity.Methods: Interviews and focus groups were conducted with stakeholders from the government sector, non-government organisations, the health sector and CALD communities in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and framework analysis. A workshop was also held to engage with and seek recommendations from stakeholders.Results: For socio-cultural reasons subgroups within CALD communities do not cope well with Australia’s extreme heat which can differ from heat experienced elsewhere. Those at risk include older migrants and new arrivals, people in new and emerging communities, and low income migrants who lack English proficiency skills. Socioeconomic disadvantage, linguistic barriers, poor quality housing and cultural issues contribute to vulnerability. At present the needs of many are unmet in terms of knowledge about harm minimisation strategies during extreme heat. To facilitate climate change adaptation for the broader population and minimise potential heat health disparities, there needs to be equity in access to resources that can aid in building resilience. This will require a suite of communication tools to cater for Australia’s growing number of residents with diverse cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds. The social capital existing within networks and the high adaptive capacity of migrants are enablers in the adaptation process.Conclusion: Providing information to new migrants and refugees about climate change risks in Australia and ways to sustain health during extreme heat will assist in overcoming barriers in vulnerable sectors of communities. Promoting social connectedness will also facilitate a more inclusive approach to climate change adaptation. An outcome from this translational research has been an increase in awareness amongst policymakers of the need for broader communication of heat messages

Comparative Study of Brain Size Ontogeny: Marsupials and Placental Mammals

Simple Summary This study examined brain/body ontogenetic growth in marsupials and compared it with placental mammals. While marsupials display morphology and cerebral organization diverse from placentals, their neocortical arrangement and cellular composition is unclear. Unfortunately, knowledge of marsupial ontogenetic brain/body size allometry is limited. Since marsupial brain structure and volume differ when compared with those of placentals, marsupials are considered to possess simple behavioural patterns. This is misleading, since even at a basic observation, Australian marsupials display many of the same mental capacities as other mammals. Consequently, the study findings support further investigation into the intellectual abilities of marsupials. Abstract There exists a negative allometry between vertebrate brain size and body size. It has been well studied among placental mammals but less is known regarding marsupials. Consequently, this study explores brain/body ontogenetic growth in marsupials and compares it with placental mammals. Pouch young samples of 43 koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), 28 possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), and 36 tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) preserved in a solution of 10% buffered formalin, as well as fresh juveniles and adults of 43 koalas and 40 possums, were studied. Their brain size/body size allometry was compared to that among humans, rhesus monkeys, dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, wild pigs, and mice. Two patterns of allometric curves were found: a logarithmic one (marsupials, rabbits, wild pigs, and guinea pigs) and a logistic one (the rest of mammals). Keywords: brain/body allometry; ontogenesis; brain variability; neuronal units; logarithmic/logistic curve