A Return to Human Values: An Evolutionary Approach for Developmental Instruction and Learning

Working with the late Dr. Jonas Salk, inventor of the first polio vaccine, exclusively on his philosophical works during his final five and most reflective years, we developed an evolutionary perspective on human development... [ view full abstract ]

Working with the late Dr. Jonas Salk, inventor of the first polio vaccine, exclusively on his philosophical works during his final five and most reflective years, we developed an evolutionary perspective on human development based in part upon our extensive study of C. P. Snow's iconic lecture entitled The Two Cultures.

Revolving around three seminal charts, the evolutionary perspective we developed points to a possible collective future engendering personal and civic responsibility towards the empowerment of self and others, stemming from the basic fundamental right to dignity.

The three, never-before-published charts consist of the matrix of universal consciousness, the periodic table of human development and the map of human values. The charts and the accompanying paper explain the relevance of this primary research to educators looking for a more holistic approach in curriculum design and development integrating a new perspective on developmental milestones within the individual. Hallmark to these ideas is the notion that the wealth of nations in the future will not be measured by GNP alone but by an index measuring a nation's gross national opportunity supported by society whose members aim to bring out the best in self and others.

How to create learning environments conducive to the manifestation of this vision will be one of greatest challenges facing educators and society alike and could augment the long-await shift towards the expansion of more humane values already taking root in certain communities.