In order to break through the limits of a "tunnel" vision derived from familiar cultures, we must progress beyond a concrete-bound interpretation of human action. Our analysis must be based, not merely on observations of our own era, but on logical principles. Although this approach may require a major "paradigm shift" for some students, a pragmatic approach to human action—that is, an approach that fails to determine the principles and causes behind such action—leads to long-term disaster. Just as a grasp of electrical principles precludes dangerous "penny-in-the-fuse-box" solutions, in like manner an understanding of the principles of human action will enable us to avoid personal, social, and political policies that would have catastrophic consequences. The thinking in this course, particularly in its early stages, will therefore be relatively abstract, emphasizing logical precision. That approach will enable us to grasp truths about human action that are usually misunderstood or completely ignored, while avoiding some serious common errors. In the latter part of the course, these ideas will be applied to many concrete practical problems.     Continue...