Teilhard’s Philosophy of the World

 

Teilhard de Chardin, a French philosopher and theologian, presents a vision of the world that blends science, evolution, and spirituality. His ideas focus on the relationship between matter and spirit, as well as the evolutionary process that leads humanity toward greater consciousness and unity with the divine. Let’s break down his key concepts in simple terms.

The Divine Milieu

Teilhard's view of the universe is that it is "the divine milieu", meaning it is a world filled with God's presence. The universe, especially our Earth, is not just a physical place but a space that radiates God's energy and spirit. This perspective contrasts with thinkers like Nietzsche, who believed that being a Christian meant rejecting the material world. Teilhard, on the other hand, embraces the world and sees God's presence within it.

In his work The Divine Milieu, Teilhard argues that everything in the world, including matter, is imbued with a spiritual essence. He does not see a division between the earthly and the divine. Instead, he believes that everything—whether it is a rock, an animal, or a human—has a connection to God. He even calls it “Holy Matter”, a concept that suggests that matter itself has a sacred quality. This view allows Teilhard to celebrate "Christ in the World of Matter", where Christ is present in all things, and matter itself is seen as having a spiritual dimension.

For Teilhard, the traditional religious idea of “loving the things of heaven and hating the things of earth” is unnecessary. Instead, he invites us to see God in everything, from the smallest particles of matter to the grandest aspects of creation.

Matter and Spirit

Teilhard believes that matter and spirit are not opposing forces but two sides of the same reality. Matter, in his view, is not just lifeless stuff. It is “solidified spirit,” meaning that all material things are, in a sense, already imbued with a spiritual nature.

In Teilhard’s theory of "complexity-consciousness", he argues that spirit emerges when matter reaches a certain level of complexity. For example, a rock is simply matter, but as life evolves, matter becomes more complex, eventually reaching a level of consciousness in humans and even in other forms of life. He believes that God has embedded this potential for spirit or consciousness within all matter, and over time, as the universe evolves, this spirit becomes more and more apparent.

This view also means that matter has a “within” and a “without.” The “within” refers to its inner energy or potential (like the properties of matter that allow it to interact with the world), and the “without” refers to its interactions with other things. This interplay between the internal and external is what allows matter to evolve toward more complex forms of consciousness.

Teilhard also acknowledges the negative aspects of matter, such as its inertia (slowness to change) and its association with suffering, sin, and even death. However, he does not see these characteristics as permanent. In his “Hymn to Matter”, he praises matter, even in its harshness and danger, as the means through which we can eventually transcend to something higher. He sees matter as the “seeds of our souls” and as an essential part of the divine plan.

The Spheres: Evolution and Expansion of Consciousness

Teilhard uses the concept of concentric spheres to describe the evolutionary process of the universe. These spheres represent different levels of existence and consciousness that expand outward from the beginning of the universe to the present moment, and beyond. The three key spheres he describes are:

• The Lithosphere: This is the first and simplest sphere, consisting of non-living matter like rocks, stones, and gases. The lithosphere represents the beginning of the physical universe. Its influence is limited and does not have the complexity of life or consciousness.
• The Biosphere: As life began to emerge, the biosphere came into being. It includes all living organisms, from plants to animals. This sphere represents the realm of life, where complex biological processes occur, and living beings interact with each other and their environment.
• The Noosphere: This is the most advanced and expansive sphere, representing the realm of mind and consciousness. The noosphere is unique because it is shaped by human thought, culture, and intellectual activities. It is through the noosphere that humans can reflect on the world, understand abstract concepts, and even contemplate the divine. Teilhard believed that the noosphere was the next step in the evolution of consciousness, where humanity’s collective intellect would reach new heights.

Teilhardian Evolution and the Big Bang

Teilhard integrates the Big Bang theory into his vision of evolution. He imagines that the universe began with a primordial super-molecule, a super-charged mass containing all the energy and dynamism needed to start the evolutionary process. This super-molecule was so packed with energy that it was highly unstable, and this instability led to a massive explosion, which we recognize today as the Big Bang.

After the explosion, the universe expanded and began evolving. Teilhard sees this explosion not as a one-time event but as a recurring process, with repeated explosions that continue to shape the universe. His vision aligns with the idea of the Expanding Universe, which suggests that the universe is still expanding today.

As the Earth cooled, water began to form, and life began in the seas. The early forms of life were delicate and existed in the ocean to be protected from the harsh solar rays. This is the beginning of life on Earth, and it marks the first stage in the long journey of evolution.

Radial Energy: The Early Phase of Evolution

Teilhard describes the early stages of evolution as driven by radial energy. This energy is like the spokes of a wheel, radiating outward from a central point. It is characterized by multiplicity, splitting, and branching out. In this phase of evolution, life forms started to diversify.

At first, life existed as simple, single-celled organisms. Over time, these organisms evolved into more complex forms—like amoebas, vertebrates, and eventually animals that crawled onto land and began breathing air. This process, according to Teilhard, was not a straight line of progress but rather a trial-and-error approach. It was a guided process, but not a fully predetermined one.

The process of evolution had a general goal (the emergence of human beings), but the path to this goal was shaped by unconscious natural forces and chance. For Teilhard, this evolution was not about a rigid, controlled plan; rather, it was like rainwater flowing down a mountain, finding its way by navigating through various obstacles.

Tangential Energy: Human Evolution and Consciousness

The word “tangential” means something that touches and connects. Imagine two people holding hands—they were separate before, but now they are joined. That is the nature of tangential energy: it works to bring people, ideas, and societies together so that they can evolve toward a shared purpose.

Before humans, evolution happened naturally, without conscious thought—animals simply adapted to their environment. But with human intelligence, we now have the power to shape our own future. We can either bring people together and help the world progress, or cause division and slow down evolution.

 Once hominisation (the emergence of humans) occurred, evolution took on a new direction. Teilhard’s famous phrase, “Man is evolution become conscious of itself,” captures this shift. Before humans appeared, evolution was driven by unconscious natural laws. However, with the arrival of humans, evolution became conscious because humans have the ability to choose and act freely.

This shift in evolution is driven by tangential energy, which is about bringing things together and drawing them toward a common goal. The name “tangential” suggests a force that touches and unites. Now, humanity must play an active role in this process. Humans have the power to guide the course of evolution—either by fostering unity and cooperation or by hindering progress.

With the help of science and technology, we can overcome barriers that separate us, such as space and time. For example, we can travel around the world, communicate with people from different cultures, and collaborate internationally. We can work together for the common good, as seen in global organizations like the United Nations.

However, this power also comes with responsibility. Humans can choose to use their abilities for positive purposes, such as fostering peace and collaboration, or they can choose to destroy progress, as seen in the horrors of World War II. The direction of evolution depends on the choices humanity makes.