Five Minds for the Future

C H A P T E R 7

Conclusion

Toward the Cultivation of the Five Minds

THE PROJECT OUTLINED in this book is ambitious, even grandiose. At times, I’ve felt overwhelmed by the challenge of developing this quintet of minds and then orchestrating their smooth interaction in a person (or a population) who lives in our global world. Yet the effort has seemed worthwhile. It’s better for an aim to exceed one’s grasp than for one to aim too low or too narrowly.

Now the time has come to take stock—to review the major claims and to clear up some lingering questions. In this book, I’ve spoken a lot about synthesis. I have not hesitated to praise some syntheses, while expressing reservations about others. And so the challenge of synthesis is in my hands. In ...