One task of history within Big History, I believe, should be to chronicle and interpret leaps in consciousness. One leap of particular interest is the Axial Threshold. Unfortunately, this concern is not as central to practicing big historians as I would like to see. Read more
Mitchell Diamond's critique of Ted Peters is actually a critique of Big History. Diamond argues that both morality and tribalism predated the rise of religion in evolution. Science needs to better explain religion's origin and persistence. Read more
Like a volcano, AI potential is spreading excitement and turmoil across the landscape. We must ask: will there be a connection between AI and Radical Life Extension? Certainly our transhumanist friends think so. How does Radical Life Extension and its partner, Cybernetic Immortality, compare with religious visions of the afterlife? Read more
Religious Naturalism meets Big History. Evolutionary biologist Ursula Goodenough finds meaning already within natural processes. And this justifies her religious naturalist orientation. Read more
When we remind ourselves of the connection between Teilhard and Big History, we realize that the universe story we tell need not be reduced to a materialist ideology. Our account of cosmic history could include consciousness, goodness, and even transcendence. Read more
How do science and religion relate within big history? Like an ancient army pillaging conquered villages, the scientific conquerors steal from religion origin stories and the grounding of morality. No wonder religion fits so awkwardly within Big History! Read more
The terrific new book, "Science, Religion, and Deep Time," is an honest attempt to resolve a conundrum within Big History's methodology: how should religion be treated within an evidence-based epistemology that relies on science? Unfortunately, big historians presuppose the falsity of ancient creation myths along with claims of transcendent reality. Big History sells a brand of naturalism. I argue that a naturalistic ideology is unwarranted when attending to an evidence-based rendering of Big History. Read more
Current meat production damages our planet through deforestation and methane emissions while reaping untolled animal suffering. On the technological horizon we can envision no-kill cultured meat that could solve numerous ecological problems. Read more
Getting lost in depression can be a frightening even harrowing experience. What steps might a teenager -- or any of us, for that matter? -- take to rise above depression and regain a sense of flourishing? Read more
Existential questions prompt anxiety, the fear of nonbeing. We cannot escape them. We all must face anxiety, dread, and meaninglessness. Are there theological answers to these ultimate questions? Read more
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