LifeLens
Focusing on What Matters
LifeLens |
The Two Lenses: A Summary
“Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come.”
— Greta Thunburg
Introductory Notes
This section is an overview of The LifeLens, which may be helpful to read first.
Also, the concept of Life Support System, Life System, Nature and Environment are used interchangeably here. I prefer to use Life System (short for Life Support System) because it automatically includes humans (encompassed in life). See the section on Life System (add link located on The LifeLens page??) for more information.
What are the three major impacts that all life has on the environment? The Life Lens framework is based on the following impacts:
1. All LifeS) TAKES UP SPACE
G) CONSUMES/USES NATURE’S GIFTS/RESOURCES
W) PRODUCES WASTE
These are the three common impacts all life has on the Life System.
2. Human Impacts
What are the three impacts humans have on the environment in the first minute of life?
S) WE TAKE UP SPACE: after separating from our mother
G) WE CONSUME NATURE’S GIFTS/RESOUCES: breathing in oxygen
W) WE PRODUCE WASTE: breathing out CO2
3. Basic Framework/Lens
The framework of the Life Lens is based on these three areas of impact:
S) SPACE (ecosystem space: land, water, air)
G) GIFTS/RESOURCES (ecosystem gifts/resources)
W) WASTE (ecosystem waste: what an individual creates but is unable to re-use.)4. Meaning of Space, Resources, Waste
S) SPACE is our home, the Earth, the planet we live on. Our Life System (Nature) is what sustains us; it is the ultimate gift for all life.
G) RESOURCES are free GIFTS from the Earth: air, water, land and life. Most renewable gifts come from the process of photosynthesis, e.g., green plants, thanks to the fundamental gift of the sun.
W) WASTE is essentially raw material for renewal. On Earth, there is no “away” (as in throw “away”). All the material that is on Earth now (except for a few meteors) has been here since the very beginning. In order for our Life System to sustain itself efficiently, all waste from life must return to the Life System so that it can be re-used again. And again. The Life System does this freely, automatically.5. Factories, Machines, Industry, Etc.
S) TAKE UP SPACE
G) CONSUME NATURE’S GIFTS/RESOURCES
W) GENERATE WASTE
Not just life can be described this way: industrial complexes, etc., that are created by humans also have the same kinds of impact, only more extreme, e.g., fossil fuel industry (see #13 below).
6. Alternative Definitions
S) SPACE = STRUCTURE / SPACE AROUND THE STRUCTURE
G) RESOURCES = INPUT (not all resources used are “consumed.”)
W) WASTE = OUTPUT (although output can be a human product vs. waste)
These might best describe industrial complexes, etc.
7. Our Life System
How does our Life System support life on Earth? Our Life System:
S) PROVIDES SPACE: earth, water, air; when life is included, the Life System space is composed of ecosystems and biodiversity.
G) GENERATES GIFTS/RESOURCES for the survival of all life: sustenance eg food (life), water, air; materials for shelter, etc.
The Sun provides our Life System with a continuous flow of warmth and energy which supports life on Earth (eg with green plants through photosynthesis) and drives various natural processes. In terms of energy, we live in an open system.W) RE-ASSIMILATES WASTE back into the Life System Space.
Because materially, the Earth is a closed system (what we have is all we will ever have): nothing is ever wasted. So, the waste of one species (e.g., elephant dung) necessarily becomes food for another species (e.g., the dung beetle). In other words, space provides gifts for the survival of all life as well as regenerating waste. It all works as a sustainable system, honed over billions of years.8. Our Life System Cycle
What does our Life System provide?
S) SPACE, which primarily through photosynthesis, generates:
G) GIFTS/RESOURCES that are transformed by life into:
W) WASTE which is re-assimilated back into:
S) SPACE, which can then generate more:
R) GIFTS/RESOURCES…
This basic cycle has endured for eons, continually creating new life.
9. Life Needs
What must all life do to sustain our Life System?
S) SUSTAIN (LIFE) SYSTEM SPACE
Protect our Life Support System: ecosystems, biodiversity;
G) BALANCE GIFT/RESOURCE USE: balance consumption and regeneration:
ie do not consume more than can be sustainably regenerated;
W) RECYCLE ALL OUTPUT back into the Life System (renewables).All species are meeting these Life Needs— except one: humans.
10. Conditions of Unmet Life Needs
When Life Needs are not met, it will result in:
S) HABITAT DESTRUCTION
G) GIFT/RESOURCE DEPLETION
W) POLLUTION (from non-renewables, excess renewables, toxic chemicals)
See XXX for information on the three different kinds of pollution.
Humans are the only species that are the basic cause of these conditions.11. The Consequences of These Conditions
S) HABITAT DESTRUCTION: eg loss of biodiversity, disruption of ecosystem services, loss of carbon sinks, interruption of water cycles (eg drought), loss of water quality, more extreme weather, loss of pollinators, depletion of natural resources, displacement of local communities, economic disruptions, loss of natural beauty…
G) GIFT/RESOURCE DEPLETION: eg continuing loss of Nature’s gifts—renewable resources such as water resources, timber, fish, soil fertility for agriculture; displacement of communities relying on depleted resources; economic disruptions; loss of resources needed by other species for survival…
W) POLLUTION: eg massive health issues for all species, especially for communities in direct contact with the pollution of land, water, air; increase in greenhouse gases (ie global warming with all its major global consequences), loss of ozone layer protecting us from the Sun’s radiation; economic disruptions…
While the focus here is primarily on the consequences for humans, these consequences affect all life.
12. Interrelatedness of Unmet Life Needs
For instance, how does one unmet need, such as habitat destruction, increase the other two unmet needs of resource depletion and pollution?
S) HABITAT DESTRUCTION causes resource depletion and exacerbates pollution eg water pollution from mining; decrease in carbon sinks (forests).
G) GIFT/RESOURCE DEPLETION of renewables increases deterioration of space/ecosystems eg marine (fish), forest (timber); eg deforestation increases pollution eg via soil erosion, water contamination.
G) GIFT/RESOURCE DEPLETION of non-renewables, eg fossil fuels, minerals, destroys habitat and increases eg soil and water pollution through mining.
W) POLLUTION degrades and destroys ecosystem space (earth, water, air) and depletes gifts/resources/life; negatively affects health of all life.
In other words, each unmet Life Need exacerbates the others. All are inextricably intertwined.
EXAMPLE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF HUMAN USE OF A NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCE:
13. Effect of Mining & Burning Fossil Fuels on Our Life System
S) HABITAT DESTRUCTION (land, water, air) eg from mining; from infrastructure (roads, pipelines); from oil spills; from pollution caused by mining.
G) GIFT/RESOURCE DEPLETION from habitat destruction, from pollution;
W) POLLUTION: from a) non-renewables, b) excess renewables, c) toxic chemicals
a. Burning fossil fuels causes land, water and air pollution (eg sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter) affecting the health of all life;
b. Burning fossil fuels increases CO2 (a renewable resource) which increases global warming;
c. Fossil fuels are used in products which do not readily break down and include toxic chemicals eg plastics, pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fibers (eg nylon), insulation, synthetic rubber etc.Extraction and use of fossil fuels in particular have a deeply negative effect on our Life System.
14. Basic Underlying Causes of These Conditions
S1) HABITAT DESTRUCTION FROM GROWTH
e.g., of population, technology, trade
S2) HABITAT DESTRUCTION FROM INSTABILITY
e.g., political, economic, social unrest; environmental instability
G) GIFT/RESOURCE DEPLETION FROM OVERCONSUMPTION
caused by increases in human population and our insatiable appetite for more
W) POLLUTION FROM RESOURCES USED & PRODUCTS CREATED
e.g., choice of non-renewables, excess renewables, toxic chemicals15. Common Assumptions for a Finite Planet
Humans have long believed that Nature provides:
S) UNLIMITED SPACE
G) UNLIMITED GIFTS/RESOURCES
W) UNLIMITED WASTE/POLLUTION
This false rationale has given humans the sanction to devastate our Life System. In earlier times, it did seem that there was no limit to space, resources and sinks for all kinds of waste. We are only recently beginning to feel the consequences of our erroneous assumptions.
16. Shifting to a New Paradigm for a Finite Planet
S) SPACE IS LIMITED > SUSTAIN SYSTEM SPACE
G) GIFTS/RESOURCES ARE LIMITED > BALANCE RESOURCE USE
W) RE-ASSIMILATION IS LIMITED > RECYCLE ALL WASTE
At the very least, we humans need to be intentionally moving in this direction, especially corporations and industries that are primarily responsible for the deterioration of our Life System.
17. R’s to Help Meet Life Needs
S) REDUCE HABITAT DESTRUCTION & RESTORE HABITATS
G) REDUCE GIFT/RESOURCE DEPLETION & RE-USE GIFTS/RESOURCES
W) REDUCE POLLUTION & RECYCLE/RE-USE WASTE
RETHINK OUR ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT OUR LIFE SYSTEM
RECIPROCITY: give back to our Life System in response to what is freely given
REWILD ecosystems destroyed by humans.
All humans (some, of course, more than others) have the ability and responsibility to make daily choices that help support our Life Support System. Our Life System is based on reciprocity. Our survival as a species depends on it.
The Human Lens framework was created primarily to be comparable to the Life Lens (short, comprehensive and memorable); and a way to come up with what matters most to humans: our basic Human Needs. (See “What Inspired the LifeLens?”). This lens is composed of the four widely recognized aspects of our nature.
Since the 1990’s, the LifeLens used the Human Lens framework of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of our nature. This remained until my discovery of the PIES model while developing this website (2025). The PIES model (an easily remembered acronym) uses the same four aspects of human nature. Only the order and description of the mental aspect were changed to physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. The PIES model has now been incorporated into the Human Lens. Unlike the LifeLens, PIES, as far as I know, is not used as a framework for asking specific questions in this particular way.
How would you answer the following questions?
1. What are the Basic Aspects of Human Nature?
FOUR ASPECTS OF HUMAN NATURE
P
physicalI
intellectualE
emotionalS
spiritualThis is called the PIES model, a variation of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual framework. Each should be seen as a permeable, interrelated, interdependent part of the whole self, with each influencing the other.
2. What Parts of Our Being Comprise Our Human Nature?
REPRESENTED IN OUR HUMAN NATURE
body
mind
heart
spirit
3. What is Meant by Each Aspect of Human Nature?
P) Physical: SENSING (the five senses: sight, touch, hearing, smell, taste)
I) Intellectual: THINKING
E) Emotional: FEELING
S) Spiritual: OUR (CORE) IDENTITY: BEING & BECOMING
The spiritual definition is an attempt to be as inclusive as possible to the concept of spirituality (our human spirit): here, who we are at our core (not what is imposed on us). This includes seeking religious and spiritual transcendence.4. How is Each Aspect of Human Nature Primarily Manifested in Daily Life?
P) in physical ACTION
I) in intellectual LEARNING
E) in emotional RELATIONSHIP (reaction)
S) in spiritual CHOICE (e.g., how to live our life)Each of these aspects work together to help us make choices that lead to physical action. The physical is the only external aspect of our nature; the rest are primarily internal processes.
5. What is the Human Need of Each Aspect of Our Nature?
Action: ultimately our physical needs are based on having and giving:
P1) WELLBEING (in having): meeting our basic physical needs
1) survival needs (e.g., air, water, food, exercise, leisure, sleep and shelter);
2) security needs (e.g., protection from harm; insurance eg for health, retirement);
3) quality needs (e.g., clean air, nutritious food, comfort, beauty).
P2) FULFILLMENT (in giving): e.g., raising a family, sharing one’s talents, being in service to humans, life, the planet. Service, in all its transcendent ways, is generally considered to be the way to greatest fulfillment in one’s life.
Learning: ultimately we need:
I) UNDERSTANDING e.g., to understand, be understood; based on seeking truth
Relationship: ultimately we need:
E) CONNECTION (in all its various aspects) e.g., to respect, be respected; to love, be loved; to value, to be valued; valuing oneself i.e., self-esteem; belonging, caring, collaboration, cooperationNote that Human Needs can be both active and passive ie to respect, to be respected.
Choice: spiritually we ultimately need to choose:
S) MEANING: VISION (purpose in our lives) & VALUES (to live by)The Human Lens is a very different way of looking at Human Needs: based on what each aspect of our nature needs. This allows for a more comprehensive perspective involving our whole self. The needs depicted here depend primarily on logic and common sense: what most people would agree with. Compare, for instance, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which required extensive research (see below under III. Integration).
Expanding one’s lens: Human Needs can be seen on different levels: from one’s own individual perspective or from widening one’s perspective to include ever larger circles of humanity, of life. In other words, connecting not just with one’s own circle of family and friends; but expanding the circle to include one’s community, the human family, the family of life, with the understanding that we are all intrinsically interconnected and interdependent. Expanding our own individual lenses is perhaps the most important take-away of the LifeLens.
HUMAN LENS QUALIFIER: LIFE AND SPIRIT AFFIRMING / ENHANCING
Human Needs can be met in a variety of ways. There is only one qualifier for the LifeLens: that our Human Needs be life and spirit affirming and/or enhancing. The opposite of this qualifier is: Life and spirit diminishing or denying. The need for connection, for example, could lead one to accept a life-diminishing relationship. The qualifier clarifies this ambiguity: the need for connection is life and spirit affirming and/or enhancing.6. What Attributes are Needed to Meet Our Human Needs?
P) INTEGRITY (in acting according to our core values)
I) CURIOSITY (to reach truthful understanding)
E) EMPATHY & TRUST (to create connection)
S) COURAGE (to live by our true vision and values)These attributes (by no means exhaustive) give motivation in meeting our needs. They can be cultivated and help create character.
7. What are the Resulting Conditions When Human Needs are Not Met?
P1) PRIVATION (vs. Well-being)
One lacks the basic necessities or comforts of life, such as food and shelter.
P2) UNFULFILLMENT (vs. Fulfillment)
One feels unfulfilled in life.
I) IGNORANCE (vs. Understanding)
For whatever reason (eg deception, denial), one lacks information to make appropriate choices.
E) SEPARATION / INDIFFERENCE (vs. Connection)
One does not feel connected, whether to oneself, others, to life, or Nature.
S) MEANINGLESSNESS or LIFE / SPIRIT DIMINISHING MEANING (vs. Meaning)
One lacks life-affirming values or a sense of meaning in one’s life.8. What are the Possible Consequences of Unmet Human Needs?
P1) PRIVATION (vs. Wellbeing)
Privation can lead to crime (e.g., theft, drugs) just to survive physically and emotionally, respectively. One may also lack protection from harm: (e.g., domestic abuse of children, spouse; racism, sexism.)
P2) UNFULFILLMENT (vs. Fulfillment)
Unfulfillment can lead to depression and despair and being drawn into service with circles that tend to be life and spirit diminishing or denying: (e.g., violent gangs or cults.)
I) IGNORANCE (vs. Understanding)
Ignorance can lead to inappropriate choices: P) in health leading to illness; E) in relationships leading to misunderstandings; I) in beliefs leading to violence; S) in life and spirit diminishing values leading to harmful outcomes.
E) SEPARATION / INDIFFERENCE (vs. Connection)
Without the sense of connection, especially if lacking empathy, separation can lead to isolation, withdrawal, depression, indifference; not caring about others or life in general. One may be drawn to life and spirit diminishing connections: relationships that may be cruel or abusive, including to oneself.
S) MEANINGLESSNESS or LIFE / SPIRIT DIMINISHING MEANING (vs. Meaning)
Meaninglessness can lead to depression and risky behavior i.e., seeking meaning in values or beliefs that diminish life and the human spirit, values that can lead one down dark and despairing paths.
These conditions of unmet needs— potentially a life of P) poverty, I) ignorance, E) disconnection, indifference and S) meaninglessness— are experienced primarily by the less powerful in society, those with fewer options of choice, especially life and spirit affirming choice.
9. What are the Conditions if Humans Choose to Meet Their Needs in Extremes?
Are these extremes perhaps the result of the fear of not meeting one’s basic needs?
Privation (unmet need)
P) INSATIABILITY (greed from fear of privation? of status insecurity? from the dictates of corporate culture?) Insatiability e.g., for things, wealth, power, status.
> Insatiable: incapable of being satisfied or appeased; greedy.
Ignorance (unmet need)
I) ARROGANCE (from fear of ignorance, insecurity? from narcissism?)
> Arrogance is to be pretentious, contemptuous, imperious, presumptuous.
> Hubris: being out of touch with reality, overestimating one’s competence.
Separation (unmet need)
E) DOMINATION/OPPRESSION (from fear of separation? need to control relationships?)
> Domination: control or power over another or others.
> Oppression: malicious or unjust treatment of others.
Meaninglessness (unmet need)
S) DOGMA (from fear of meaninglessness? Need for certainty, for control?)
> Dogma: an unshakable belief system often based on false assumptions.
While unmet Human Needs are more likely associated with the less powerful, these extremes of Human Needs are more likely associated with the powerful in society. They can also be life and spirit diminishing e.g., the insatiable need for individual profit, status, power at the expense of others, especially to the detriment of the common good.
10. What Prevents People From Meeting Their Human Needs?
Privation
P) INJUSTICE, (SYSTEMIC) OPPRESSION, THREATS, ABUSE, CRUELTY, INHUMANITY, NEGLIGENCE, SURVEILANCE, VIOLENCE
Ignorance
I) DECEPTION, LIES, PROPAGANDA, CENSORSHIP; INADEQUATE EDUCATION; SUPPRESSION OF MEDIA; BANNING OF BOOKS; BELIEF IN e.g., INEQUALITY, SUPERIORITY
Separation
E) HATE, DISCRIMINATION (racism, sexism, scapegoating etc.), INTOLERANCE creating FEAR, ANXIETY in others; INDIFFERENCE (not caring)
Meaninglessness, lack of life-affirming values
S) DEHUMANIZATION, IDEOLOGICAL EXTREMISM, LIFE & SPIRIT DIMINISHING VALUES to justify actions e.g., of cruelty and violence.
How can humans face and mitigate the darker sides of our nature? How can Americans face and come to terms with the darker sides of our history?
11. Where do the Dark Sides of Our Nature Primarily Come From?
All humans have different sides of their nature: benevolent, malevolent. For the most part, humans have the free will to choose, especially as adults. The focus here is on childhood, when adults have the ability to control the young.
What are ways that the lives of children can be malevolently affected by adults?
P) Growing up with physical abuse: corporeal punishment, sexual abuse, physical trauma, (domestic) violence, physical neglect;
I) Growing up with mental abuse: e.g., constant criticism, lies, deception; life & spirit-diminishing beliefs;
E) Growing up with emotional abuse: e.g., hatred, humiliation, shame, bullying, fear-based control; emotional neglect, without positive emotional connection;
S) Growing up with a broken spirit from the above, as well as abuse or denial of a child’s core identity; instilling life and spirit-diminishing values, conflicting values, no values; no sense of purpose or value; not being valued. Some parents believe in breaking the spirit of children in order to control them.
A childhood that experiences malevolence may lead negatively to a life of malevolence (e.g., choosing familiarity); to a life of low self-esteem, emotional afflictions and addiction as coping mechanisms.
Can you imagine a world where all children are brought up having their basic Human Needs met?
In order to meet our Life Needs, we need to meet our Human Needs.
1. Meeting Life Needs by Meeting Human Needs
Using PIES, how can we live in greater congruence with our Life Support System?
P1) WELLBEING:
In order to meet our Physical Needs, we try to leave the smallest possible footprint on the Earth. As an integral part of this planet, we live our lives in greater harmony with all life and our Life Support System.
P2) FULFILLMENT:
We find fulfillment in dedicating our lives to restoring, regenerating and revitalizing the Earth by the choices we make every day, moving steadily toward meeting our Life Needs.
I) UNDERSTANDING:
We grow up realizing our interdependence and reciprocal relationship with the Earth. We use our creative imagination to bring greater awareness and solutions to our existential Earth crisis.
E) CONNECTION:
We care deeply for the Earth, our home, feeling a profound sense of connection and gratitude for all the gifts it provides, including overwhelming beauty and wonder. Our relationship to the Earth is one of reciprocity: a mutual relationship with responsibility to give back in order to ensure the health and sustainability of our Life System for generations to come.
S) MEANING:
We value, revere and honor the Earth that gives us life. We find purpose in giving back to the Earth, helping to restore its integrity. Many are now turning to Nature-based spirituality, valuing the sanctity of the Earth.2. How Unmet Human Needs Lead to Unmet Life Needs
Using PIES, how do the conditions of unmet Human Needs lead to unmet Life Needs?
The following are examples, not by any means exhaustive.
P1) PRIVATION
What are some ways that privation can lead to unmet Life Needs?
> People kept in poverty have fewer choices.
> Their main purpose in life is to survive, often by any means. For instance, in developing countries, the felling of forests may be the people’s only source of fuel or shelter.
> People living in poverty are most likely to be subject to polluted land, water, and air, drastically affecting their health— and the health of all life.
Sustainability for the planet means not only that all species meet Life Needs, but that all humans are able to meet their basic physical needs. This is directly related to achieving Environmental Justice.
How can humans physically reconnect with the Earth?
P2) UNFULFILLMENT
How does unfulfillment in one’s life lead to unmet Life Needs?
Those that feel unfulfilled in their lives may focus on themselves (e.g., acquiring wealth) rather than offering service to the Earth or fellow travelers on this life journey.
How can we create more opportunities and motivation for people to protect and repair the Earth?
I) IGNORANCE
What are some ways that ignorance (in all its forms eg deception, denial, lies) leads to unmet Life Needs?
Here are a few examples:
> Ignorance of how dependent our lives are on our Life Support System.
> Ignorance of how our daily choices affect our Life System.
> Belief in superstition leading to species extinction (e.g., rhinos for horn, elephants for tusks.)
> If women are kept uneducated, they are more likely to have more children. This often leads to greater poverty and an unsustainable human population.
It is vital that environmental education be taught to children from an early age; that it be incorporated into the entire school curriculum when possible: for example, when teaching math. Furthermore, the media has a responsibility in keeping the public informed about the effects of human exploitation of the environment, as well as how we can mitigate these effects.
How can humans reconnect with Nature through greater understanding?
E) SEPARATION/NOT CARING
What are some ways that separation can lead to unmet Life Needs?
> Feeling separated/disconnected from Nature, our Life System, from planet Earth.
> Not caring about our relationship to our Life Support System.
> Not caring how our daily choices affect our Life System.
When physically disconnected from our source of survival, humans brought up, for instance, in cities, are more likely to fear or disdain Nature. Furthermore, separation from the source of our physical needs, such as our food, perpetuates the persisting cruelty of factory farms and the extinction of species (e.g., fish).
Indifference is perhaps the most pervasive detriment to moving toward a sustainable planet. Caring depends predominantly on a deep emotional connection to Nature.
How can humans emotionally reconnect with the Earth, our home, so that we deeply care? To care enough to act?
S) MEANINGLESSNESS or LIFE/SPIRIT DIMINISHING MEANING
Do humans value the Earth as a resource to exploit rather than our home to be cared for?
> Not valuing our Life System and all the species that we share the Earth with.
> Valuing that which destroys the planet— whether for profit and power or from ignorance and indifference.
How can humans be motivated to value our Earth home? To find purpose and meaning in making choices that help sustain our planet? To see our moral responsibility in caring for the Earth?
These are the principal reasons that most people on the planet are living unsustainably.
How can humans be inspired to meet our Life Needs through meeting our Human Needs in ever-widening circles (from ourselves to the Earth)?
Why are people kept in ignorance, disconnected from what ultimately sustains us? (See #3 below.)
3. Extremes of Meeting Human Needs
How do the extremes of Human Needs lead to unmet Life Needs?
P) INSATIABILITY
Having insatiable greed, leading to wantonly plundering the planet.
I) ARROGANCE
Assuming that it is not only a human right to plunder the planet; but that we know better than Nature, than our Life System with its billions of years of evolution… (See Evolution of the Earth) ADD LINK
E) DOMINATION
Deluded that the human relationship to Nature is to dominate and exploit it.
S) DOGMA
Proclaiming unfounded statements to the people, such as: global warming is a hoax; coal is clean energy; technology will eventually solve everything (so no need to do anything now).
These are the principal reasons that the powerful and wealthy elite in the corporate world may have few qualms about destroying the planet.
Our capitalist system is governed by corporations whose primary impetus is profit, with little concern for planet sustainability unless it is profit-based (e.g., production of solar panels).
Capitalism is primarily based on insatiability, arrogance, domination, and dogma.
Capitalism is also based on P) privation (scarcity); I) lies about its extensive destruction of the Earth; E) lack of connection to and caring of the Earth; and S) values that devalue the Earth i.e., for profit.
Corporations cultivate a culture of consumption: endless exploitation of the Earth.
Corporations (given rights of “persons” by the Supreme Court) are clearly not people; nor do they have free choice. Most act like immortal psychopaths without care for people or the planet: only for profit.
How can people in positions of power be motivated to care about our Earth?
How can corporations be based on a bottom line of people and the planet before profit?
How can we create an economic system that puts people and the planet first?The Human Lens (PIES) is a framework for any number of questions, as well as perhaps an unconscious pattern used by philosophers, politicians, psychologists, sages, the general public et al. Here are some ways the Human Lens can be and has been used.
1. Ideals
P) FAIRNESS (OPEN HANDED)
I) TRUTH (OPEN MIND)
E) LOVE (OPEN HEART)
S) FREEDOM (OPEN SPIRIT)2. Opposite of Ideals
P) INJUSTICE / CRUELTY (CLOSED FIST)
I) FALSEHOOD (CLOSED MIND)
E) HATRED (CLOSED HEART)
S) OPPRESSION (choice) (CLOSED SPIRIT)3. Three Virtues
P) BEAUTY (in life)
I) TRUTH (mental objective)
E) GOODNESS (in relationship)
BEDROCK OF OUR EXISTENCE (Howard Gardner)4. Centers of Choice From Our:
P) EXPERIENCE
I) KNOWLEDGE
E) EMOTIONS
S) VALUES, INSIGHT, INTUITION, CONSCIENCE5. Motivation to Act
P) INSTINCT
I) INTELLECT
E) IMPULSE
S) INTUITION (our gut feeling)6. Four-Fold Way (Archetypal Principles)
P) WARRIOR
I) TEACHER
E) HEALER
S) VISIONARY7. Group Dynamics
P) IMPLEMENTORS / DOERS
I) PROBLEM SOLVERS / DESIGNERS
E) INTEGRATORS / CONNECTORS
S) VISIONARIES8. USA First Amendment Freedoms:
P) TO PETITION (GRIEVANCES) (action)
I) OF SPEECH (INDIVIDUAL), OF PRESS (ORGANIZATION) (expression)
E) OF ASSEMBLY (connection)
S) OF RELIGION (spiritual values)9. Nation (USA)
P1) GOVERNMENT/ECONOMY/WELFARE (Well-being of citizens)
P2) CULTURE/THE ARTS (Fulfillment)
I) EDUCATION, MEDIA (Understanding)
E) SOCIETY/CITIZENS (Connection/Relationship)
S) CONSTITUTION/RULE OF LAW (Meaning: vision & values)10. Government: “Four” Branches
P) EXECUTIVE / PRESIDENT (implementing & enforcing laws = action)
I) THE PRESS (educating: a watchdog, informing the public, keeping government accountable, promoting transparency)
E) LEGISLATIVE/CONGRESS (laws in relationship/connection with citizens)
S) JUDICIAL / CONSTITUTION / SUPREME COURT – USA identity is in the Constitution: our vision & values. The Supreme Court is expected to be the guardian of the Constitution to ensure justice, protect rights, and maintain the balance of power. Its role is vital for protecting our democracy and the rule of law.11. Value Orientations, Personality Types
a. PLATO c. 340 BC
P) SENSIBLE
I) REASONING
E) ARTISTIC
S) INTUITIVE
b. ARISTOTLE c. 325 BC
P) MATERIAL
I) LOGICAL
E) SENSUAL
S) ETHICAL
c. SPRANGER c. 1914
P) ECONOMIC
I) THEORETICAL
E) ARTISTIC
S) RELIGIOUS
d. KEIRSEY c. 1988
P) GUARDIAN
I) RATIONAL
E) ARTISAN
S) IDEALIST
e. CARL JUNG’S PSYCHOLOGICAL TYPES
P) SENSING
I) THINKING
E) FEELING
S) INTUITION12. Freud: Structural Model of the Psyche
Three components of the mind influencing choice and behavior:
P) —-
I) EGO: rational; navigating between desires and reality (e.g., consequences)
E) ID: our desires; immediate gratification
S) SUPEREGO: moral standards; societal norms (right & wrong)13. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
P1) Wellbeing: #1 = PHYSIOLOGICAL (eg food, shelter); #2 = SAFETY
I) Understanding: ——-
E) Connection: #3 = LOVE & BELONGING; #4 = ESTEEM & RECOGNITION S) Meaning (vision & values): ——-
P2) Fulfillment: #5 = SELF-ACTUALIZATION (living our true self)14. Seven Deadly Sins
P) GLUTTONY, GREED, LUST = insatiability for food, things, sex
I) PRIDE = arrogance (considered worst sin)E) WRATH (leading to revenge); ENVY (leading to resentment)
S) SLOTH = no purpose, no motivation
15. Seven Deadly Sins as Foundation of Capitalism
P) GLUTTONY, GREED, LUST = consumerism to promote insatiable greed
I) PRIDE: in seeking insatiable wealth, status, power E) WRATH: eg promotes competition against rivals; prioritizes personal gain
E) ENVY: eg keeping up with the Joneses; emotion is manipulated for profit (advertising)S) SLOTH = the only deadly sin not exploited in capitalism
British philosopher, G. K. Chesterton believed that the seven deadly sins, except for sloth, are the foundation of capitalism.16. Meeting Human Needs in Today’s World
Action
P) DEMANDING JUSTICE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL; ACTING IN NON-VIOLENCE
Learning
I) SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER; FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Feeling
E) TREATING ALL WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS; INCLUSION
Value
S) LIVING WITH INTEGRITY, WITH GRATITUDE: VALUING ALL HUMANS, ALL LIFE, THE EARTH WE INHABIT
Your thoughts?
What other questions do you have for the Human Lens?Underlying Conditions if Our Needs are to be Met (partial list)
p) Wellbeing (having)
> All people need a means to survive eg a living wage
> All people need access to affordable housing
> All people need access to basic health care eg health insurance
> All people need social security in retirement
> All people need to be given equal opportunity
> All people need to be treated with equal justice
> All people need to follow the rule of law (except when unjust)
> All people need to have access to natural beauty in their lives (eg parks)
p) Fulfillment (giving)
> All people need the freedom of expression; to pursue their dreams
> All people need the opportunity to be of service to others, the planet
> All people need the right to fight injustice in their lives
> All people need to move closer to fulfilling their Life Needs
i) Understanding
> All people need access to a good grounding education
> All people need to feel curious, wanting to learn more
> All people need to learn how to seek truth by thinking critically
> All people need to keep expanding their awareness, their consciousness beyond themselves to others, all life, our Earth home.
> All people need deeper understanding of themselves, their relationships
e) Connection
> All children need to feel loved, cared for, accepted for who they are
> All people need to be treated with equality, respect and dignity
> All people need to feel their interconnection with all life
> All people need to help care for others, all life, our planet, our future
s) Meaning: Vision & Values
> All people need the tools, the encouragement to find their true nature
> All people need to listen to and live by their conscience
> All people need to live values that enhance life and the human spirit
> All people need the freedom to choose and take responsibility for their actions