1. isn't it better to adopt a faith based approach?

Is it arrogance or stupidity for us mere humans to try to comprehend the universe?

We address this in Part 1 on Philosophy. There many alternative faith based approaches and we would need to work out how to choose one and why to ignore the others. We also look at the major faith traditions in Part 4 on Religion.

2. Can we find solutions in a more psychological approach?

Can we use the insights from Carl Jung, JD Laing or others to inform our approach?

We address this in Part 2 on Science. There many psychology based approaches and we would need to work out how to choose one and why to ignore the others.

3. Aren t we pushing a Western view and simply assuming that it is universal?

In Part 3 on History we cover global, long term history. We reach conclusions that are open to review. We invite comments from non-westerners to help us correct the imbalances.

4. Why not take a religious approach, combining truth, reverence and compassion?

In Part 4 on Religion we consider indigenous, eastern and western religions, as well as modern responses such as Atheism. There is much to be learned from the world s major traditions, but we need a framework to integrate these into a universal view.

5. Is it possible to seek the truth in a post-modernist world?

The way we construct concepts is culturally specific, so any attempt at universal narratives is potentially flawed. Can we do a literature analysis to discern a path?

Part 5 on Culture, Art and Media covers how our opinions and insights are molded by our social milieu. Of course we must be mindful of our unconscious biases.

But we don't abandon all hope just because the path is confusing!

6. Is the subject matter simply too complex for any analysis to succeed?

Philosophers and religionists still can't agree after thousands of years of debate. Most of science is uncertain and may be superseded someday. History is evolving and no-one is in control. isn't it impossible to reduce this to a single narrative!

All through this analysis, but especially in Part 6 on Personal Practice, we accept there are many things we don't know, life is extraordinarily complex, and we can't be certain about most things. But we still need to make choices: how to act or not act.

7. Can we find solutions in an historical analysis, like Marx did, but different?

We look at historical trends in Part 3 on History, covering all aspects of civilisation , including technology growth, nation states and governance.

In Part 7 on Politics we address the choices we have to make based on what we know. What social arrangements are most likely to lead to prosperity and fulfilment?