The Rev. Dr. Thomas Berry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 9, 1914 |
| Died | June 1, 2009 (aged 94) |
| Occupation(s) | cultural historian, historian of world religions, "geologian" |
| Organization | Passionists |
Thomas Berry, CP (November 9, 1914 – June 1, 2009) was a Catholic priest, cultural historian, and scholar of the world's religions, especially Asian traditions. Later, as he studied Earth history and evolution, he called himself a "geologian".
He rejected the label "theologian" or "ecotheologian" as too narrow and not descriptive of his cultural studies in history of religions. He was drawn early on to respond to the growing ecological and climate crisis and proposed the need for a "New Story" of evolution in 1978.[1] In this essay he suggested that a deep understanding of the history and functioning of the evolving universe is a necessary inspiration and guide for our own effective functioning as individuals and as a species.[1]
Berry believed that humanity, after generations spent in despoiling the planet, is poised to embrace a new role as a vital part of a larger, interdependent Earth community, consisting of a "communion of subjects not a collection of objects".[2] He felt that we were at a critical turning point, moving out of the Cenozoic era and entering into a new evolutionary phase, which would either be an Ecozoic Era, characterized by mutually-enhancing human-Earth relations, or a Techozoic Era, where we dominate and exploit the planet via our technological mastery.[3]
Berry said the transformation of humanity's priorities will not come easily. It requires what he called "the great work"—the title of one of his books—in four institutional realms: the political and legal order; the economic and industrial world; education; and religion.[4]
- ^ a b Berry, Thomas (2003) [1978]. "The new story: comments on the origin, identification, and transmission of values" (PDF). In Fabel, Arthur; St. John, Donald P. (eds.). Teilhard in the 21st Century: the Emerging Spirit of Earth. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. pp. 77–88. ISBN 1570755078. OCLC 52601492.
- ^ This phrase is widely cited; see, for example: "Search results for 'communion of subjects not a collection of objects'". Internet Archive. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
- ^ Hope, Marjorie; Young, James (1994). "A prophetic voice: Thomas Berry". The Trumpeter. 11 (1).
- ^ Revkin, Andrew C. (June 3, 2009). "Thomas Berry, Writer and Lecturer With a Mission for Mankind, Dies at 94". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 July 2015.