Isn't it incredible how Darwin is still controversial for some? He was so far ahead of his time. And such an inspiration for so many people in different contexts. I've felt his impact on change management and sustainability as well as philosophy. And I was thinking about him this week as I wrote about an Italian scholar whose work on cataloguing flora and fauna influenced him.
The idea of Darwin and adaptability is fascinating, but there’s always an underlying issue: regardless of how adaptable or flexible someone is, genetics and other uncontrollable factors play a role.
From Darwin’s perspective, traits that don’t fit into the larger survival equation might be weeded out. But sometimes, those very individuals are the most intelligent, most adaptable, and the ones who offer the most value.
Thanks Neela. I remember how exciting it was to find a paradigm that really seemed to explain a lot of human behavior and why it's so hard to change by intention. A lot of that "psych" stuff is hard-wired in!
Once you see how deeply ingrained some of these psychological patterns are, it really reframes what effective change looks like, both personally and in organizations.
Thanks Adam. I'll check it out. I'm generally skeptical of people (e.g. Ken Wilber) who claim to offer a TOE (Theory of Everything), but I do admire their zeal in the attempt!
After reading Ludwig Bertalaffny's book about general systems theory, I settled into using a biopsychosocioenvironmental paradigm for analyzing and intervening in behavioral problems, both individual and group level. I find that lens keeps things "as simple as possible but not too simple" (Einstein) so I can think and act in real time consulting situations.
Isn't it incredible how Darwin is still controversial for some? He was so far ahead of his time. And such an inspiration for so many people in different contexts. I've felt his impact on change management and sustainability as well as philosophy. And I was thinking about him this week as I wrote about an Italian scholar whose work on cataloguing flora and fauna influenced him.
So true, Lisa. In your consulting on change, you must find many good ideas to incorporate from old Charles!
The idea of Darwin and adaptability is fascinating, but there’s always an underlying issue: regardless of how adaptable or flexible someone is, genetics and other uncontrollable factors play a role.
From Darwin’s perspective, traits that don’t fit into the larger survival equation might be weeded out. But sometimes, those very individuals are the most intelligent, most adaptable, and the ones who offer the most value.
I love how you traced your intellectual journey through so many schools of thought before finding your centre in Darwin’s lens.
His ideas are often reduced to textbook simplifications, but your post explains the full philosophical and ethical context behind them.
Especially this - “We stopped looking for monsters under our bed when we realized they were inside us.” That line always stops me in my tracks.
Happy Wednesday Baird
Thanks Neela. I remember how exciting it was to find a paradigm that really seemed to explain a lot of human behavior and why it's so hard to change by intention. A lot of that "psych" stuff is hard-wired in!
true.
Once you see how deeply ingrained some of these psychological patterns are, it really reframes what effective change looks like, both personally and in organizations.
Check out UTOK (Unified Theory of Knowledge) by psychologist Gregg Henriqques. Tries to tie a lot of this together.
Thanks Adam. I'll check it out. I'm generally skeptical of people (e.g. Ken Wilber) who claim to offer a TOE (Theory of Everything), but I do admire their zeal in the attempt!
After reading Ludwig Bertalaffny's book about general systems theory, I settled into using a biopsychosocioenvironmental paradigm for analyzing and intervening in behavioral problems, both individual and group level. I find that lens keeps things "as simple as possible but not too simple" (Einstein) so I can think and act in real time consulting situations.