EVENT: Towards More Rational, Scientific Policy-making: How trauma obstructs solutions to the planetary crisis, and what we can do about it

Our civilization is facing simultaneous crises of war, environmental destruction, resource depletion, climate change, poverty, and social breakdown. Why do we seem unable to solve these crises? Why don't we more often adopt rational policies to tackle them based on good science? Why has denial of climate change and other issues become such a potent political force? Why are we humans so clever, and yet act so unwisely?

The fault does not lie in our genes, our evolutionary heritage, or God. Anthropology and prehistory show that we embody the potential to be peaceful, cooperative, caring and wise. Our species is not doomed to be violent, competitive, savage and stupid.

In this seminar we will argue that trauma, from which we all suffer to a greater or lesser degree, lies at the root of these problems. We will outline the mechanisms, causes and effects of trauma. We conclude that more rational policy-making and substantial progress in tackling the crises will become possible only as societies take action to reduce the incidence and severity of trauma through prevention and healing. At the individual level, we will become more effective as scientists and advocates of rational change as we embark on personal healing.