What is the noosphere? Planetary superorganism, major evolutionary transition and emergence
Clément Vidal
Systems Research and Behavioral Science January 13, 2024 DOI: 10.1002/sres.2997 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Living Systems Theory can clarify the noosphere as both a planetary superorganism and a sphere of mind, and that it represents a major evolutionary transition with potential for planetary consciousness. |
Abstract
The noosphere remains an underappreciated and understudied idea despite that it provides unique hope towards a positive and meaningful global integration. A core reason for this lack of attention is that its very definition is often unclear both in the West with Teilhard de Chardin and in the East with Vernadsky. I show how Living Systems Theory can clarify two fundamental meanings: the noosphere as a planetary superorganism and the noosphere as a sphere of mind, storing, processing and spreading information. I also present two key aspects to better grasp the concept: the noosphere as a planetary major evolutionary transition and the noosphere as the emergence of something radically new, which might include a planetary consciousness, or a planet seeking to find or contact other noospheres.