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A World Waiting to Be Born: Civility Rediscovered
Just as The Road Less Traveled provided hope and guidance for individuals seeking growth, this major new work by M. Scott Peck, M.D., offers a needed prescription for our deeply ailing society. Our illness is Incivility --morally destructive patterns of self-absorption, callousness, manipulativeness, and materialism so ingrained in our routine behavior that we do not even recognize them. There is a deepening awareness that something is seriously wrong with our personal and organizational lives. Using examples from his own life, case histories, and dramatic scenarios of businesses that made a conscious decision to bring civility to their organizations , Dr. Peck demonstrates how change can be effected and how we and our organizations can be restored to health. This wise, practical, and radical book is a blueprint for achieving personal and societal well-being.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
60 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
About the author
M. Scott Peck
122 books1,699 followersMorgan Scott Peck was an American psychiatrist and best-selling author who wrote the book The Road Less Traveled, published in 1978.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 16, 2023
fun read
July 30, 2009
Peck's writing style can get a little redundant and self-congratulatory, but if you get beyond that, he has some really amazing things to say. I'm am reading the section on marriage and family, and it's very thought-provoking.
October 27, 2007
Almost ignored by the public, this is Peck at his best.
July 6, 2008
[Review written by my younger self]
Peck’s A World Waiting to Be is an important book. No doubt about that. As always, this man makes a great contribution in speaking his mind and dissecting and explaining the woes of the world. Still, there is some contradictions and confusions in this book that lessen its value. The book is still important, but there are some things to know from the start before you open that first page. It is with this that I warn potential readers….
The Author’s Purpose in Question
“An illness is abroad in the land.” The world is at the apex of a crisis, where incivility reigns. Peck makes this broad statement known from the very beginning of the book, thus influencing the tone the rest of the book takes. Altogether more aggressive than his well-known and acclaimed Road Less Traveled, Peck’s A World Waiting to Be Born is almost a survival guide and a tactical plan for living and combating a world wrought with incivility.
Throughout the book, Peck emphasizes that his purpose in writing his book was to get readers to surmise their own definition of civility. It is possible that, in doing so, Peck made one of the biggest contractions of all in his book. Of course, no one is required to follow anything they read in books, yet Peck constructs the novel in such a way that it becomes more of a tool to follow his own version of civility rather than to guide readers in developing their own definition.
If Peck had hoped for individualized definitions of civility to flourish among his readers, why did he devote most of his pages to exposition on how to advance in his definition of civility? Why did he use such words as “impertinent” and “necessary” towards his own definition, if he were not trying to push it forward? No doubt, Peck’s grand call to civility is admirable, regardless of his intentions.
Still, more clarity and balance needs to be given to this issue, and readers should be forewarned of even the own unintentional and unwitting machinations of the author himself. As Peck himself points out, civility in some cases should not give way to a compromise of one’s convictions. Here, then, is the import of devising your own definition of civility, independent of Peck’s provisions. Every situation is unique, and it is with this in mind that readers should apply the tools Peck so graciously offers us.
God and Her Purposes
While Peck’s book is replete with academic citations and statistics, his religious beliefs certainly shine through, and he brings out various disclaimers for them throughout the book (like the fact that he refers to God as a “she” at various points). Unusual, indeed, especially since I cannot for once in my various readings of this book figure out exactly what religious derivations he may be writing from.
The various convictions and contradictions that follow his religious disclaimers can be smoothed over in readers’ minds to some extent, though sometimes his claims are held up solely by this mysterious religious foundation of Holy Spirit and other convictions. These latter claims are the hardest to swallow, and have caused me to (unfairly) question the worth of a book as a whole.
Still, despite this, I have learned a valuable lesson from my reading that was never so obviously noticeable before: Just because it’s published, that doesn’t mean it is always accurate, understandable, or superior. Indeed, when Peck isn’t confusing readers with his religious convictions and the reasoning that they support, Peck pushes readers to their own empowerment.
The Power is Yours!
Captain Planet? Hardly. Peck isn’t one to fly around with his environmentally sound cohorts ridding the world of incivility. However, even when he’s pushing his version of civility on us, or telling us what is true and good, he empowers his readers. Indeed, he states that we are, to some extent, slaves of our unconscious mind (he also calls this the “Holy Spirit”), which is “always one step ahead of the conscious mind in the right or the wrong direction”.
Still, this does not mean that civility is failing because only the unconscious mind is in control, or always going in the wrong direction. Peck believes that the cure for this civility comes from developing personal definitions of civility (ahem), and making sure that all people have a “conscious intention [or] awareness” towards civility. He does not doubt the existence of people capable of controlling their lives and bringing positive influence to themselves and others, and this is where the power of the book, and its readership, lies.
By the way, for a less confusing, more basic look at the world through Peck's eyes, try his tried and true Road Less Traveled. It is sure to change anyone who reads it.
Peck’s A World Waiting to Be is an important book. No doubt about that. As always, this man makes a great contribution in speaking his mind and dissecting and explaining the woes of the world. Still, there is some contradictions and confusions in this book that lessen its value. The book is still important, but there are some things to know from the start before you open that first page. It is with this that I warn potential readers….
The Author’s Purpose in Question
“An illness is abroad in the land.” The world is at the apex of a crisis, where incivility reigns. Peck makes this broad statement known from the very beginning of the book, thus influencing the tone the rest of the book takes. Altogether more aggressive than his well-known and acclaimed Road Less Traveled, Peck’s A World Waiting to Be Born is almost a survival guide and a tactical plan for living and combating a world wrought with incivility.
Throughout the book, Peck emphasizes that his purpose in writing his book was to get readers to surmise their own definition of civility. It is possible that, in doing so, Peck made one of the biggest contractions of all in his book. Of course, no one is required to follow anything they read in books, yet Peck constructs the novel in such a way that it becomes more of a tool to follow his own version of civility rather than to guide readers in developing their own definition.
If Peck had hoped for individualized definitions of civility to flourish among his readers, why did he devote most of his pages to exposition on how to advance in his definition of civility? Why did he use such words as “impertinent” and “necessary” towards his own definition, if he were not trying to push it forward? No doubt, Peck’s grand call to civility is admirable, regardless of his intentions.
Still, more clarity and balance needs to be given to this issue, and readers should be forewarned of even the own unintentional and unwitting machinations of the author himself. As Peck himself points out, civility in some cases should not give way to a compromise of one’s convictions. Here, then, is the import of devising your own definition of civility, independent of Peck’s provisions. Every situation is unique, and it is with this in mind that readers should apply the tools Peck so graciously offers us.
God and Her Purposes
While Peck’s book is replete with academic citations and statistics, his religious beliefs certainly shine through, and he brings out various disclaimers for them throughout the book (like the fact that he refers to God as a “she” at various points). Unusual, indeed, especially since I cannot for once in my various readings of this book figure out exactly what religious derivations he may be writing from.
The various convictions and contradictions that follow his religious disclaimers can be smoothed over in readers’ minds to some extent, though sometimes his claims are held up solely by this mysterious religious foundation of Holy Spirit and other convictions. These latter claims are the hardest to swallow, and have caused me to (unfairly) question the worth of a book as a whole.
Still, despite this, I have learned a valuable lesson from my reading that was never so obviously noticeable before: Just because it’s published, that doesn’t mean it is always accurate, understandable, or superior. Indeed, when Peck isn’t confusing readers with his religious convictions and the reasoning that they support, Peck pushes readers to their own empowerment.
The Power is Yours!
Captain Planet? Hardly. Peck isn’t one to fly around with his environmentally sound cohorts ridding the world of incivility. However, even when he’s pushing his version of civility on us, or telling us what is true and good, he empowers his readers. Indeed, he states that we are, to some extent, slaves of our unconscious mind (he also calls this the “Holy Spirit”), which is “always one step ahead of the conscious mind in the right or the wrong direction”.
Still, this does not mean that civility is failing because only the unconscious mind is in control, or always going in the wrong direction. Peck believes that the cure for this civility comes from developing personal definitions of civility (ahem), and making sure that all people have a “conscious intention [or] awareness” towards civility. He does not doubt the existence of people capable of controlling their lives and bringing positive influence to themselves and others, and this is where the power of the book, and its readership, lies.
By the way, for a less confusing, more basic look at the world through Peck's eyes, try his tried and true Road Less Traveled. It is sure to change anyone who reads it.
November 19, 2017
The author acknowledges the Founding Fathers belief that to sustain a Democratic society, public education is required for the widespread teaching of "civics" [agreed!]... but then tells us they meant "a deep seated" set of values that would be the foundation for responsible citizenship. The implication of his use of the phrase "deep seated" here, seems to be "founded in a belief in God" [as argued throughout the book]. At best, this is a questionable assumption.
Peck also redifines "civility" as "consciously motivated organizational behavior that is ethical in submission to a higher power" and tells us that one of the cornerstones is "the relationship of an individual in submission to God or a Higher Power." No allowances here for the possibility of rational, secular values that might help define civil behavior. But I like the fact that he started with reference to the Founding Fathers.
Peck also redifines "civility" as "consciously motivated organizational behavior that is ethical in submission to a higher power" and tells us that one of the cornerstones is "the relationship of an individual in submission to God or a Higher Power." No allowances here for the possibility of rational, secular values that might help define civil behavior. But I like the fact that he started with reference to the Founding Fathers.
March 27, 2021
While I agree with "Rebecca's" criticism that "Peck's writing style can get a little redundant and self-congratulatory," I speculate that the same content that is valued by many readers also made him enemies and that the latter crit was due at least in part to this. Humanist, Robert Greene in his Laws of Human Nature does a excellent job of including insights from a variety of sources including religious texts. I find it surprising how much agreement there is amongst belief systems in which professed members are in angry conflict with one another.
October 30, 2010
Truly inspiring, with great relevance to today's business world.
Currently reading
August 30, 2014So far it's about habitual lying, to Self and others. The dis-ease of our times.
August 24, 2015
This prompted me to go to Denver for one of his workshops. Pretty wild.
January 3, 2022
I found this book paradoxical in the sense that it was prescient for the time it was written, but now seems outdated.
I have chosen to shelve this one.
We live in an era of narcissism where everything is embued with high levels of entitlement and low empathy. In essence, he may have rediscovered "civility", but we have in turn chosen to discard it once again!
I have chosen to shelve this one.
We live in an era of narcissism where everything is embued with high levels of entitlement and low empathy. In essence, he may have rediscovered "civility", but we have in turn chosen to discard it once again!
May 15, 2020
Great book all about being civil in this world.
December 18, 2015
I’ve read five other books by Scott Peck and wanted to give this a try.
I almost abandoned the book, as the first section was a little too technical for me with its psychological terms and theory. The second and third sections were more of what I remember Peck for – fascinating case histories with principles that can be applied to daily life. The fourth section was so-so as it featured his aspirational hopes for increased civility and community in the world.
The book was written in 1993 – before 9/11, mass shootings, terrorism and political polarization. Civility has plummeted since its publication, leaving me to wonder what Peck would say about today’s world.
I almost abandoned the book, as the first section was a little too technical for me with its psychological terms and theory. The second and third sections were more of what I remember Peck for – fascinating case histories with principles that can be applied to daily life. The fourth section was so-so as it featured his aspirational hopes for increased civility and community in the world.
The book was written in 1993 – before 9/11, mass shootings, terrorism and political polarization. Civility has plummeted since its publication, leaving me to wonder what Peck would say about today’s world.
Read
May 27, 2010Civility & Politeness are not the same thing - they are often directly oposing each other.
"A gentlemad is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally." - Herford.
"Incivility generally arises out of unconsciousness"
"A gentlemad is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally." - Herford.
"Incivility generally arises out of unconsciousness"
August 18, 2016
This book marked a watershed moment in my life and is therefore one of my favourite and most recommended reads. The author gives sound advice on the formation of character from a psychiatric point of view and makes a strong case for pursuing one's deepest desires.
September 5, 2011
The world could certainly use more civility. And we're not talking politeness here...
May 1, 2011
This book is somewhat of a hard read...I will finish it, someday :)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews