Chasing We-ness: Cultivating Empathy and Leadership in a Polarized World

Description

As humans, we embrace our individuality, yet we chase the comfort and sense of purpose that comes from being part of a group. Especially timely given our polarized world, Chasing We-ness examines how social media, AI, new leadership styles, and other modern developments affect our state of we-ness. It illuminates how our contemporary identities find expression in both progressive and conservative social movements that foster a sense of we-ness. Embracing the reality that "we’re all in this together," the book interrogates our efforts to achieve a state of we-ness that rejects hate, social injustice, and autocratic agendas in the twenty-first century. This book explores why, how, and with what effect we build we-ness into our lives in both healthy and destructive ways. William Marsiglio draws on his expertise as a leading sociologist to explore the motivational forces that inspire a sense of group belonging in intimate groups, civic organizations, thought communities, sports and leisure activities, and work. Promoting initiatives that cultivate mindfulness, empathy, altruism, and leadership, Chasing We-ness proposes essential life skills to empower us, reduce social divisions, strengthen the social fabric, and uplift our spirits as global citizens. Cover Praise for Chasing We-ness Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Page Contents List of Illustrations Preface Introduction Part I. Framing We-ness Part II. The We-ness Landscape Part III. We-ness: Resources and Skills Part IV. Our Path Forward 1 Self-Meanings 2 Motives 3 Social Domains 4 Judging Outcomes: Good, Bad, and Mixed 5 Navigating Transitions 6 We-ness, Empathy, and Altruism 7 Leadership 8 Transforming Our Future Notes Index