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  Creative Evolution

  Henri Bergson

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  Henri Bergson’s highly influential book, ‘Creative Evolution’ (‘Evolution Creatrice’, 1907) established a theory of evolution - called ‘Creative Evolution Theory’ - which gained a considerable following in the first half of the 20th Century. It also helped the author to win the Nobel Prize in 1927 for his work investigating the origins of biological information and divergence in the evolutionary process.  
   
  In this work, Bergson seeks an alternative explanation as to how new forms of life emerge compared to those prevailing at the time. This included both the ‘mechanistic’ or deterministic explanations of biological science on the one hand, and on the other the ‘finalist’ or strictly teleological explanation of those who believed in the hand of a ‘Creator’ or God, coordinating life in a divine plan. 
   
  Creative Evolution proposes a third explanation in what Bergson calls élan vital’ or ‘vital impetus’, a force that infuses all matter and drives it forward into an ever-changing and infinite variety of living forms. This appears as a vital impetus that can also be related to humanity’s own creative life force. Bergson’s book builds on his ‘Theory of Time’ as set forth in works such as ‘Matter and Memory’ and ‘Time and Free Will’.  In these works, and in the present volume, Bergson sees continuous ‘duration’ as real time, as opposed to the way in which time is divided up into measured units by the ‘organising’ mind of science. 
   
  Life, as we really experience it, is subject to constant change and our tendency to explain evolutionary change by looking only at ‘ends’ achieved rather than the processes by which they emerge, divorces us from the life force itself.  
   
  Instead, Bergson feels we need to reengage with our instincts as well as with our intelligence in order to understand the evolutionary process, as both co-exist to some extent within us, all forms of life having a common origin in that instinctual, innate knowledge of simpler life forms. Though these may be unconscious or semi-conscious, they are, in Bergson’s view, much more in touch with the ever-changing nature of real time than the analytical and rational knowledge of our species 
   
  As he writes:  “Our thought, in its purely logical form, is incapable of presenting the true nature of life, the full meaning of the evolutionary movement. Created by life, in definite circumstances, to act on definite things, how can it embrace life, of which it is only an emanation or an aspect?”  
   
  It is to attempt an answer to this question that ‘Creative Evolution’ directs its attention.

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  Two Treatises of Civil Government

  John Locke

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  The Two Treatises of Civil Government is a work of political philosophy published anonymously in 1689 by John Locke. The First Treatise is an extended attack on Sir Robert Filmer's Patriarcha, which argued for a divinely-ordained, hereditary, absolute monarchy. The more influential Second Treatise outlines a theory of civil society based on natural rights and contract theory. Locke begins by describing the "state of nature," and goes on to explain the hypothetical rise of property and civilization, asserting that the only legitimate governments are those which have the consent of the people.Locke's ideas heavily influenced both the American and French Revolutions. His notions of people's rights and the role of civil government provided strong support for the intellectual movements of both revolutions. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia)

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  Baltic Mythology Collection

  Niina Niskanen

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  Baltic mythology, rooted in the ancient traditions of the Latvian and Lithuanian peoples, offers a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs, values, and spiritual practices that shaped the lives of their ancestors. This collection brings together a wealth of stories that have been passed down through generations, revealing a world where the forces of nature, deities, and mythical beings play central roles in the human experience. 
  The Baltic region, encompassing the modern nations of Latvia and Lithuania, has a rich cultural heritage that is deeply intertwined with its mythology. Unlike many other European mythologies that have been heavily influenced by outside cultures, Baltic mythology has retained a remarkable degree of authenticity, preserving the essence of its pre-Christian beliefs. This collection is a celebration of that heritage, offering readers an opportunity to explore the unique and often mysterious world of Baltic myths. 
  This book is an invitation to explore the rich tapestry of Baltic mythology, to discover the stories that have shaped the identity of the Latvian and Lithuanian peoples, and to appreciate the depth and beauty of this ancient tradition. Whether you are a scholar, a folklore enthusiast, or simply curious about the myths that have shaped this region, this collection will provide you with a deeper understanding of the Baltic world and its enduring legacy.

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  Love for the Land - Lessons from...

  Brooks Lamb

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  Love for the Land explores the power and potential of people-place relationships. Through clear and compelling prose, it elevates the virtues of imagination, affection, and fidelity—concepts promoted by farmer-writer Wendell Berry—and shows how they motivate small- and mid-scale farmers to care for the land, even in the face of adversity. Paying particular attention to farmland loss from suburban sprawl, rampant agricultural consolidation, and, for farmers of color, racial injustice, Brooks Lamb reckons with the harsh realities that these farmers face. 
   
   
    
  Drawing from in-depth interviews and hands-on experiences in two changing rural communities, he shares stories and sacrifices from dozens of farmers, local leaders, agricultural service providers, and land conservationists. Lamb's rural roots and farming background enable him to cultivate honest, trusting connections with the farmers he engages, yielding raw and powerful insights. Time and again, compelling evidence reveals that stewardship virtues encourage people to live and act as devoted caretakers. 
   
   
    
  With a refreshing, accessible, and engaging approach, Lamb argues that these resilient and often overlooked farmers show rural and urban people alike a way forward, one that serves people, places, and the planet. That path is rooted in love for the land.

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  The Truce - Progressives...

  Hunter Walker, Luppe B. n

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  The Truce is a definitive history of a half-decade of upheaval in the Democratic Party in which a new generation aggressively pursued their progressive ideals while the powerful, centrist establishment adapted to remain in command. Journalists Hunter Walker and Luppe B. Luppen illuminate this story of backroom maneuvering and political strategy with new revelations about pivotal events and exclusive, on-the-record comments from activists, campaign operatives, and members of Congress. 
   
   
   
  The Truce explores the major fault lines that define Democratic politics today and asks big questions about the future of the party. Will economic or social justice hold primacy at the top of the Democratic agenda? Who will lead the major wings of the party after two defining figures, Biden and Sanders, exit the stage? The Truce surveys the major shifts underway, from the rise of the Squad and new Democratic leadership in the House to a complete overhaul of the primary process. By digging into the divide between left and center, Walker and Luppen expose the creeping generational and political tensions that Biden has—for the moment—kept at bay. 
   
   
   
  An engrossing work, and a surprising must-listen, The Truce grapples with the dangers that threaten American democracy and the complicated cast of characters who are trying to save it.

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  St Augustine's Confessions: The...

  James Wetzel

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  As with any great work of the literary imagination, The Confessions of Saint Augustine defies categorization. It is part spiritual autobiography, part theological meditation—but above all, it is one of the most superb masterpieces ever written. In St. Augustine’s Confessions: The Arc of Conversion, you will join leading Augustine expert and award-winning professor James Wetzel in exploring this timeless work anew. You will come to see how the Confessions is both his most personal and universal work—one that has had incalculable influence in the history of Christianity and Western philosophy. Reading his text closely, you will look at its structures, context, metaphors, themes of conversion, and enduring power to inspire.  Whatever your level of familiarity with Augustine, you will plumb new depths of meaning in these erudite, insightful lectures. While Augustine is a master of words and an artist of affections, you will discover that it is precisely these gifts that he must dispossess to become receptive to the voice of God. Above all else, a confession demands humility, a virtue that can only be offered, never claimed.  As you “pick up and read” this spiritual masterwork, you will become the reader of another soul and discover the divine generosity that shines through its pages. These lectures will lead you into the restless heart of which Augustine speaks, one that is startled by grace and desiring of peace.This course is part of the Learn25 collection and includes a free PDF study guide.

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