Being Spherical is a modern philosophical treatise that is attractively bound and illustrated. The authors, in a thorough 65 short-chapter presentation, seek to convince the reader of the necessity of replacing the current worldview, symbolized by the Box, with a more accurate one symbolized by the Sphere. They even provide a Spherical Modeling Tool (SMT) for analyzing the complete range of human activities.
Our world of six or so billion is sequestered into several continents, separated culturally by different languages and traditions, and further compartmented into many philosophical, religious, and political beliefs. Nevertheless, our world of over 100 nations is steadily moving into an advanced state of interdependence and interconnectivity. Recognizing this truth is the Being Spherical imperative.
“History has persuaded us to embrace a mechanistic, clockwork-like and compartmented view of our world, life and lives. The authors argue that we have failed to recognize its unity while trying to understand its parts.”
The Sphere symbolizes the idea that we must take back responsibility for our own lives, reconsider our relation to the lives and activities of others with whom we interact, and be more responsible for the world in and on which we live. Entitlement has no place in our future.
The authors do not leave the reader stranded, however. The periodic Q and A sections that dot their treatise are very helpful in explaining the ideas behind Being Spherical. Be warned — reading at all times requires an uncommon level of thoughtfulness and inquiry. Being Spherical is not a simple idea, and even seems silly at first blush. The authors reach out and ask that every aspect of our lives and our world of beliefs be reconsidered in this new view.
The book has great merit. It targets, gives practical tools to, and is best understood by the thoughtful individual who has interest and experience with philosophical generalizations, and who is concerned with our world, its long-term direction and our long-term survival as a civilization and a race.