Exploring Patterns of History - an extract from The Human Odyssey

September 9, 2019 authise authise

The long human odyssey of self-discovery has reached a crucial stage: everything we do affects everyone and everything else - and we know it. In this extract from Stephen Green's new book The Human Odyssey he explores patterns of history and questions whether these patterns justify the narrative of a human journey - an odyssey which, for all its twists and turns, is a journey of learning and growth towards maturity.

Patterns of history? (Extract from The Human Odyssey)

In our unending search to express the human experience, we will continue to become ever more aware of how much we share such instincts as human beings across cultures. The question is: does all this mean that the human journey of self-discovery will continue? Does this mean that, in the end, there can be no enduring Westphalian stasis? Is there, in fact, a direction of travel – even if the journey ahead is long, just as the journey so far has been?

Down the ages, of course, people have tried to discern patterns and even purpose in history – from the early Christian conviction that they were living in the last days, through Chinese millenarian movements of Buddhist (and, later, Christian) inspiration, to Shia Muslim beliefs in the secret Imam to be revealed in due time, to the medieval Christian mystic Joachim of Fiore and his three ages of history, to the most enduringly influential of them all: Hegel. His concept of Absolute Spirit realizing itself in the struggles of history was radically transformed by Marx, then surfaced in mutated form again in Mao’s thought, as we shall see in Chapter 9. Even the liberal democratic order has centred on a belief in individuality and progress that implies a direction of travel in history. It expects there to be roadblocks and wrong turnings, just as there have always been. But it presumes that the direction cannot be reversed, that the potential for growth is limitless, that we may never in practice reach a point of satiation, but that it will not be possible to settle where we are.

The question is, are there indeed patterns in history that justify the narrative of a human journey – an odyssey which, for all its twists and turns, is a journey of learning and growth – towards maturity? Such journeys of exploration do not have a precise and predetermined destin- ation and are not guaranteed success. Is this, in fact, the deep story of what is under way over the next century? We know that such journeys can be painful; but we also know that, as long as we keep on going, they are always fruitful. The essentials are basically the same for individuals, for societies, for cultures, for nations and, in fact, for any form of human identity. We also know what they are: coming to terms with our pasts; taking responsibility for what we are and do; looking for the human in the other; and always looking to learn. In no case is the journey ever quite over; in no case have we arrived. In many cases, the individual cannot face the trials involved; in many cases too the state – or the demos – may seek to control or impede the journey. Indeed, such controlling or block- ing behaviour is widespread, as we know all too well, but the question is, will such resistance, in the end, succeed or fail? Will the journey of exploration continue – for each one of us, for all the wider identities we are part of, and for humanity as a whole?

But that is to get ahead of ourselves. We first need to explore the human condition as it is revealed in the Eurasia of the early twenty- first century. To do that, we need to begin by looking at what is by far the most fundamental change in the human condition to have swept through the continent since the time of the Mongols. Beginning around two hundred years ago, picking up momentum in the last century, and now gaining the force of a whirlwind, this change is altering our physical environment, our societies and our individual consciousness. The next chapter looks at the phenomenon that has changed – and will continue to change – our very experience of existence: urbanization.

Asia House are holding a book launch for The Human Odyssey on 19th September. This event will be moderated by leading economist and commentator Linda Yueh, and includes an audience Q&A, a book signing and drinks reception. For more information visit their event page here >>