Journey through four distinct perception eras reveals how the fundamental way reality is perceived and organized shapes all aspects of civilization.
1. The Concrete Era (Age of Craftsmanship)
In this era perception is bound by the immediate and tangible. Business is artisanal, focused on concrete products made by hand (Crafts). Art mirrors this, depicting specific individuals (Portraits) and objects (still lifes) with meticulous detail. The understanding of the Universe is limited by concrete, naive imagination, often codified in unchallengeable Church dogma.
Societal structures are explicitly concrete, embodied in the leading figures – the King, the Pope, the landlords. Power flows directly from these individuals, whose moods and decrees concretely rule lives. Society resembles a rigid pyramid with a single figure at the peak. Conflicts are direct, fought at the concrete command of rulers.
In this era, the Holder of truth about reality is primarily the Priest, who interprets and enforces divine dogma, and the Sovereign/Ruler, whose authority is often seen as divinely ordained and whose word defines immediate reality for their subjects. Truth is concrete, revealed through authority and dogma.
2. The General Era
Following the concrete era, a shift occurs towards a more generalized understanding of the world. Landscape painting becomes more realistic, seeking to capture the general essence of a scene rather than just concrete details. In business, the focus shifts from individual crafts to mass production in Factories, yielding standardized Products for a broader market.
This era sees the emergence of general scientific theories, attempting to explain the workings of the world through universal laws, independent of concrete religious dogma (symbolized by figures like Darwin). Human communities organize into general groups – Nations, bound by shared Ideologies, and conflicts are fought for generalized national interests rather than just a ruler’s whim. New, general institutions like stock markets emerge, operating based on overarching mechanisms rather than individual control.
The Holder of truth about reality in the General Era is often the Ideolog – the one who articulates and propagates the dominant national or societal ideology and the generalized scientific or political truths that bind the collective. Truth is seen as residing in overarching systems of thought and national narratives.
3. The Autonomous Era
The transition to the Autonomous stage marks a move beyond generalities towards individual autonomy and abstract principles. Abstract painting breaks free from depicting the visible world, asserting its own right to exist and pursue its own perfection. Autonomous scientific theories, like the Theory of Relativity, transcend previous assumptions about space and time, exploring fundamental, abstract principles of the universe.
Society begins to re-organize around the autonomous individual – the Citizen, based on democratic principles and individual human rights, moving away from the dominance of general national or social affiliations. Political and economic institutions become depersonalized and denationalized, operating with an increasing degree of autonomy. The advent of the Internet further amplifies the autonomy of activities and processes, allowing individuals more direct access and interaction. Business models shift towards Self-service (Supermarkets, online platforms), empowering the autonomous customer.
The Holder of truth about reality in the Autonomous Era is largely the Scientist, who pursues abstract, verifiable truths through rigorous methodology, and the informed Citizen, who autonomously seeks and evaluates information and forms their own understanding. Truth is seen as discoverable through reason, evidence, and individual inquiry.
4. The Basic Era
The “Basic” Era refers to epoch before civilization, during its decline, or in post-catastrophe times. In these periods, life is centered on obtaining Basic Commodities necessary for survival (Hunting and gathering). Art, like the Lascaux cave paintings, is fundamental expression, deeply connected to basic life and survival needs. Societal structure reverts to the most fundamental unit, the Tribe, bound by primal connections.
In this era, where complex systems have not yet emerged or have broken down, the Holder of truth about reality is often the Shaman. The Shaman embodies the connection to the basic forces of nature, the spiritual world intertwined with survival, and the primal wisdom of the tribe. Truth is experiential, tied to the rhythms of nature and the collective survival needs.