The Great Transformation

Judith Bessant addresses a crucially important question for our time: might the turbulent period we live in be re-conceived as a second Axial Age, driven by technological change? As the question itself implies, this requires an open-minded and fearless exploration of ideas from many disciplines. And the author delivers, with a stimulating synthesis. If we are going to understand what is happening to our species as we try to cope with artificial intelligence, we need more of this kind of broad scholarship. - Merlin Donald, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Canada The Great Transformation ambitiously weaves together much-needed historical, sociological, scientific, and philosophical insights into our present techno-social condition, and how we might wisely steer its trajectory toward a better future. Pushing beyond simplistic utopian and dystopian metaphors, and rejecting tired and fatalistic theories of technological determinism, Bessant identifies new practices and principles of social thinking, learning, and designing that can help us rescue the endangered promise of technology for human flourishing. - Shannon Vallor, William J. Rewak S.J. Professor of Philosophy at Santa Clara University, USA, and author of Technology and the Virtues: A Philosophical Guide to a Future Worth Wanting Bessant puts the high-tech revolution of today in perspective of the great technological revolutions of human history. But because society and technology co-evolve, this look into the future highlights the freedom we can exercise to ensure everyone benefits. - Randall Collins, Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania, USA, and co-author of Does Capitalism Have a Future?