The culture wars we are experiencing, the ever-widening gulf between the conservative right and the so-called Woke left, has reached a critical point. What really underlies the differences? We tend to assume it’s about political ideals and values. But what if these conflicts aren’t just about politics or values, but about clashes between people at fundamentally different stages of development—like those grounded in mythic-membership worldviews and others operating from postmodern perspectives?
This presentation will explore the theory of stage development, introduced by many different developmental psychologists and significantly synthesized by the philosopher Ken Wilber, as a tool for understanding the evolution of human consciousness. We’ll examine the stages in detail, from the pre-personal, infantile, to traditional, rule-bound thinking, to pluralistic, relativistic perspectives, and beyond, illustrating how individuals and societies progress through these levels of world view. Understanding these stages can help us make sense of the tensions shaping our world today and, more importantly, guide us in taking charge of our own growth process. By applying this lens, we can develop greater empathy for others, navigate cultural conflicts with more nuance, and actively participate in our personal and collective evolution.
*********If you would like to build your Tom Tom schedule here on Sched, please visit our ticket page and select the free “Create Your Personal Schedule” ticket. Once complete, you’ll receive an email from Sched prompting you to get started!*********A special thank you to the presenting sponsors of the 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival: the University of Virginia, Virginia Tourism, R.L. Beyer Custom Homes, Ludwig Kuttner, and The City of Charlottesville
