The concept of self-education through reading has gained traction in modern times, but it’s worth noting that autodidacticism has a long and storied history. The pursuit of knowledge and the drive to learn are not confined to formal educational institutions. The world is full of resources waiting to be explored, and the human mind is capable of incredible feats when it sets out to learn on its own. The idea of an autodidactic approach to the study of nature and God was first put forth in the medieval philosophical novel Hayy ibn Yaqdhan by Andalusian philosopher Ibn Tufail in the 1160s. The story follows a feral boy who becomes an autodidact and masters nature through instruments and reason, discovering the laws of nature through practical exploration and experimentation. In the end, the hero attains summum bonum through a mystical mediation and communion with a higher power. Ibn-Tufayl’s story, translated as “The Self-Taught Philosopher” or “The Improvement of Human Reason,” inspired debates about autodidacticism across a range of historical fields, from Renaissance humanism to the European Enlightenment. Autodidacticism played a role in debates about the role of philosophy in pedagogy, and also in struggles over Sufism and experimentalism.
Clearly, the history of self-education is not limited to intellectual pursuits. Self-taught architects such as Eileen Gray and Luis Barragán created a system where working was also learning, where self-education was associated with creativity and productivity within a working environment. Even renowned naval architect William Francis Gibbs learned his craft through self-education, studying battleships and ocean liners on his own before founding his firm, Gibbs and Cox.
All these associations of self-sufficiency to transcendence might give us a clue to how desperate the most educated of us can be to getting to a higher power, even we are not inclined to blindly trust anyone who is well-versed in creating complex systems that support our lives. But, we already have such individuals. Many educators believe that they are contributing to a civil, cultured society by reading and passing advanced works. However, most of these works are either too jargon-laden or myopic to be useful for the average reader.
Italian Renaissance artist and polymath Leonardo da Vinci was born on around this time (Apr 15) in 1452.
Known for ‘Last Supper’ (1495-98) and ‘Mona Lisa’, (1503-19). It is thought that only 15 of his paintings survive, however, together with his notebooks containing drawings, diagrams and thoughts on the nature of painting, da Vinci left behind a significant contribution for future generations of artists.
Also found in his notebooks were musings, ideas and theories of scientific enquiry and mechanical inventiveness that were far ahead of their time. His art was enriched by his intellect and thirst for knowledge, as well as his keen power of observation.
Sketch of a Unicorn. Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519. Pen and dark brown ink with metal point on paper.
It could be ideal if everyone could struggle through complicated literature and wordy arguments. Perhaps then, we could create a society that perfectly understands how to organize itself and maintain its culture. Sadly(?), this is far from the truth. The “Great Books” movement of the last generation has not failed so much as fizzled, not because of any defect in the books, but because of a depletion of cultural soil. The seminal ideas of great thinkers can only grow in an imaginative ground saturated with stories that resonate with us. In my opinion, this is a tragedy. The world has lost its ability to synthesize books from their individual experiences, the more well-read they become. So, why am I compiling another list when the internet is already full of them? Because we have lost our ability to synthesize books from individual experiences, leading to a tragic loss of cultural infrastructure. But mostly, because I am an amateur who loves to talk and share; I am a person who tries to love and enjoy what I do and has managed to gather enough expertise in literature, and freedom in technology to begin to create this source. I read many of these works over ages 14-28 (I am now 30 as of writing this), and reality requires different levels of understanding. What follows is my best attempt at curating a library for my people. And, I need to set common ground with other builders. Whether I continue this or not, is highly dependent on my progress in the real world, and what ebbs and flows out of relevancy for me.
Areas of Culture and Civilization (so far)
The list is always a work in progress, but the structure and categories are likely to remain the same (as I will be adding onto it). I have broken the categories down into 3 main ones: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science and Technology. Here are the 22 disciplines, and my reasoning for including them in this book list.
- Art: Art is used to communicate ideas, express emotions, and explore the human experience. It can also serve as a means of preserving cultural heritage across networks and time. The most essential and dynamic part of culture; and carries a lot of uncertainty.
- Business: Business and entrepreneurship play a vital role in creating and sustaining civilization. Including developing new technologies, providing goods and services, and defining what economic growth is.
- Cities: Cities are the center of human civilization. They are hubs of economic and cultural activity, and they provide opportunities for people to come together and build communities.
- Civilization: Understanding the history and evolution of human civilization is crucial for creating a manual that can help rebuild it. This includes examining the social, political, and economic systems that have emerged over time.
- Climate Change: Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing civilization. We must address how to mitigate and adapt to its effects, as well as how to transition to a more sustainable way of living on different levels (as population increases in size).
- Computing: Computing plays an essential role in modern civilization, and it will continue to be important in rebuilding it. A lot will continue to be said on software development, network infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
- Culture: Culture is an integral part of human civilization. It shapes our beliefs, values, and sense of identity. We must figure out how to preserve and celebrate cultural heritage while also promoting social and economic progress.
- Economics: Economics is a fundamental aspect of civilization, as it concerns how societies allocate resources and create wealth. Literature on financial planning, resource management, and macroeconomic policy is written every day.
- Energy: Energy is essential for modern civilization, but its production and consumption have significant environmental and social impacts. Many are attempting to answer how to transition to renewable energy sources and develop more sustainable infrastructure.
- Environment: The environment is a critical component of civilization, as it provides the resources and services that sustain human life. We must learn and change how to protect and restore natural ecosystems and promote biodiversity.
- Evolution: Understanding the mechanisms of evolution is crucial for rebuilding civilization. This includes studying genetics, biological diversity, and the role of natural selection in shaping life on Earth.
- Genetics: Genetics is a rapidly advancing field that has the potential to transform human civilization. A lot are covering topics such as genetic engineering, biotechnology, but not many who are adapting to the ethical and social implications of these technologies.
- Globalization: Globalization has created a highly interconnected world that presents both opportunities and challenges for rebuilding civilization. It impacted international trade, cultural exchange, and global governance.
- Government: Government plays a vital role in creating and maintaining civilization. Knowledge of governance structures, public policy, and the role of government in promoting social and economic progress.
- History: Studying history is essential for understanding how civilization has developed and what challenges it has faced in the past. Historical analysis and archival research to inform its recommendations for rebuilding.
- Infrastructure: Infrastructure is the backbone of modern civilization, providing the physical networks that enable people and goods to move and communicate. Our planning must cover topics such as transportation systems, construction techniques, and urban planning.
- Language: Language is the primary means of communication for humans and is essential for building and maintaining civilizations; through language acquisition, language diversity, and effective communication strategies.
- Psychology: Psychology is the study of human behavior and mental processes, to apply psychological principles to promote social and economic progress.
- Science: Our main systematic approach to understanding the natural world.
- Literary Fiction: Science fiction and literary fiction provide insights into possible futures and alternative worlds.
- Space: Space is the final frontier of human exploration, and it presents both opportunities and challenges for rebuilding civilization.
- Technology: Technology is a driving force of modern civilization, and it will continue to shape the future of human society.
In the upcoming post, I will be reviewing a few ”essential” or basic works – not my personal recommendations, just works with major contributions that are currently relevant and spoken for – and I hope it serves as a starting point for those looking to explore and learn more about the world in 2023-2030. So, be on the lookout for that very soon!
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