Systemic thinking from a scientific and spiritual perspective

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to enhance awareness and foment the concept of “eco‐citizenship” within today's students in higher education.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a literature review on environmental issues and spiritual thinking, student reports, discussion.FindingsThe paper's three main findings are: the need to develop educational methodologies that allow students to become advocates of a new society and way of thinking is insufficiently addressed so far; exposing students to such learning triggers a factual mindset change; and faculty and student engagement on matters of spirituality and environmental issues is becoming pivotal in a period where natural resource limitations in conjunction with overpopulation are stressing ecological systems to a threshold where it cannot be sustainable any further.Research limitations/implicationsFurther implementation of similar courses, and monitoring of students' long‐term behavioral changes are suggested to verify if such courses trigger a domino effect in terms of the emergence of the “eco‐citizen”.Originality/valueThis was the first time that such an educational approach was employed, where students not only critically investigated the course material in respect to environmental science and spirituality but also became facilitators to their own community, assisting in the development of good citizenship and enhancement of responsibility. It is clear to the authors that community interaction is very important in the curriculum design as the working ground to bring real world experience to the classroom as well as for the development of environmental and spiritual awareness. Based on the students' community activities and personal comments, in regard to the course focus and its effectiveness in changing their attitudes towards a more sustainable way of living, it was demonstrated that the course was successful.