Phase 2 of Human Evolution - Transcendence

In seeking to contribute to human evolution one of the challenges for each of us is gaining an understanding of the personal state of being we are seeking to achieve. In this document I chose to use the term transcendence to define the state of being we need to realize to be able to contribute to human evolution.

Transcendence is a human characteristic which focuses on purposes beyond self-interest. It involves the use of a form of knowledge that appears in consciousness without obvious deliberation. This form of knowledge is referred to by different names such as intuition, gut feeling and the term I prefer inner wisdom. A person who is making decisions transcendently utilizes both their mental wisdom and inner wisdom in guiding their actions. This condition was added by Maslow to the extension of his hierarchy of needs. (transcendence model) Each of us learning to become more transcendent in our lives is a small contribution to human evolution, but it is the multitude of these small contributions that will help us realize our potential as a species.

Scientists have told us that life formed on our planet when the conditions were right and inorganic matter united to form organic molecules, perhaps in clay minerals that offered favorable conditions for the protection and preservation of the building blocks of life. Science has also provided a roadmap of the processes of evolution of which we are a part. On the second tab I shared my view that human evolution has been proceeding in two phases. Gaining an understanding of the conditions we seek to achieve in realizing Phase 2 is a significant challenge. To help in understanding this challenge I have chosen to reference the insights provided by Maslow and Kaufman and in particular the concept of transcendence described by Kaufman.

Maslow published his hierarchy of needs in 1943. He recognized that becoming self-actualized is a stage in human development in which we are ready to continue our evolutionary process. The following are two quotes written by Maslow. The first quote is from an essay he published in 1966 and the second quote is from page 269 of his book The Farther Reaches of Human Nature published in 1971.

“It must be stated that self-actualization is not enough. Personal salvation, and what is good for the person alone cannot really be understood in isolation. The good of other people must be invoked, as well as the good of oneself.”

“Transcendence refers to the very highest and most inclusive or holistic levels of human consciousness, behaving and relating, as ends rather than means, to oneself, to significant others, to human being in general, to other species, to nature, and to the cosmos.”

Scott Barry Kaufman, an American cognitive scientist, has focused his research on intelligence, creativity, well-being and human potential. Maslow was his idol. Kaufman’s book The New Science of Self-Actualization is a bold extension of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. He refers to the human stage beyond self-actualization as transcendence. It contains insights for realizing a person’s full potential in living their most creative, fulfilled and connected life. He has provided a contribution to understanding the nature of Phase 2 of human evolution. The following is a quote from a lecture by Scott Kaufman:

“The fully developed (and very fortunate) human being working under the best conditions tends to be motivated by values which transcend (one’s)self. Their satisfaction has transcended the geographic limitations of the self.”

An important question is how we perceive the evolutionary purpose of humankind. It is an exploratory journey. Throughout history humankind has been pursuing pathways for facilitating human evolution. The following tab provides an historical perspective on this pursuit.


1. The Ill Health of Society - Understanding the Root Cause

2. Our Leaders Will Not Realize Human Evolution - We Need an Alternative Pathway

3. Human Evolution, a Historical Perspective

4. Phase 2 of Human Evolution - Transcendence

5. Our Personal Contribution to Human Evolution

6. Our Challenge

7. What Are Constructs?

8. Learning How to Change

9. Building the Foundation for Learning and Change

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