The (Coming) Age of Thresholding

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Stephen A. Erickson

   Pages 1-41

3. Power, Law, and The Accumulated Present

   • Stephen A. Erickson

   Pages 43-67

4. Democracy, Disillusion, and Thresholding

   • Stephen A. Erickson

   Pages 69-102

5. No Longer, Not Yet

   • Stephen A. Erickson

   Pages 103-156

6. Philosophy and Meditation

   • Stephen A. Erickson

   Pages 157-203

7. The Space of Love and Garbage

   • Stephen A. Erickson

   Pages 205-264

8. Symptoms of the Future: Living in the Threshold

   • Stephen A. Erickson

   Pages 265-295

9. Back Matter

   Pages 297-301

   PDF

As a philosopher, Stephen Erickson considers himself a messenger of sorts and the message he is delivering is an important and groundbreaking one. He convincingly argues that we are entering into a new historical moment, a period which will only be properly defined and named by those who come after us, as were the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. Erickson predicts a failure and eventual breakdown of traditional values and institutions resulting in a dramatic change in our understanding of human life. This he illustrates with clear examples from contemporary political, economic and religious circumstances. To lessen the impact of this dramatic changeover, which will be initially experienced as upheaval and global anxiety, Erickson argues that we must do all we can to come into this new era, which he has called The Age of Thresholding, with a better understanding of our past and present. Only then can the message our future holds be properly received and understood.
Many have asked why and when our century's values came into being, and why they have been sustained in the manner in which they have. These are legitimate historical questions, and I hope to supply some answers. But other questions should be directed toward our future. Over what threshold might we be crossing and what will have been ventured? What will have been gained, and what will be left behind?
from The (Coming) Age of Thresholding

• Age of Enlightenment
• anxiety
• argue
• drama
• enlightenment
• event
• experience
• future
• love
• philosophy
• present
• renaissance
• space
• tradition
• will

`Fascinating! I hope Steve Erickson is right, because if he isn't, I'm not sure how much longer I want to be here.'
John Cleese, London, UK
`Professor Erickson's concept of thresholding is highly illuminating, a guide to the perplexed who want to think seriously about how to find their way through the new era we have entered but the shape of which we do not yet fully discern. He is no false prophet. He makes one really pause and think through our situation and what it may portend. Amid all the books published on the eve of the millennium this is one to study carefully.'
Timothy Fuller, Professor of Political Science, Colorado College, USA

• Pomona College, Claremont, USA

  Stephen A. Erickson

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