Richard Tarnas on the Sacred, History, and the Future

In an interview for Artribune's 'Futuro Antico' series, historian Richard Tarnas discusses the importance of the past in shaping the future, the role of the sacred in a post-truth era, and his current book project. Tarnas, professor emeritus at the California Institute of Integral Studies and founder of its Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program, argues that a valid path forward requires understanding history. He cites Daniel Boorstin: 'Trying to plan the future without knowing the past is like planting cut flowers.' His upcoming book reflects on lessons from the thirty years since his first work, 'The Passion of the Western Mind,' and examines the uniqueness of the current historical moment. Tarnas emphasizes the need to reintegrate ancient wisdom into modern knowledge. Regarding the sacred, he states it remains vital, connecting us to reality's foundations. He envisions a transformation in humanity's relationship with the Earth, moving away from exploitation. He advises young people to follow what gives them creative joy and to communicate something valuable. The interview was conducted by Marco Bassan.