The "Spiritual Handshake": Toward a Metaphysical Sustainability Metrics

Authors

  • Almut Beringer University of Prince Edward Island, Canada

Abstract

TIs it feasible and appropriate to develop a sustainability metrics which cap- tures cosmological-spiritual dimensions of un/sustainability? Departing from the supposition that the crisis of unsustainability is a crisis of world- view and misguided cosmology which needs redirection on a cultural and global scale, this essay introduces the notion of a diagnostic instrument with which metaphysical aspects of un/sustainability may be assessed. Using the ecological footprint as a template, the essay proposes the "spiritu- al handshake" as a complementary analysis tool to ascertain the im/balance of personal self-interest versus goodwill and service to the common good. The paper outlines the conceptual foundations and metaphorical content of the spiritual handshake, suggests a set of assessment indicators, and applies the tool to a case study: that of the Terminator Gene.

Downloads

Published

2007-01-01

Issue

Section

Articles