Jean Gebser

Jean Gebser was a Swiss philosopher and historian of ideas, best known for his theory of human consciousness evolution. He believed that human awareness has developed through different structures—such as archaic, magical, mythical, mental, and integral—each representing a distinct way of experiencing reality. Gebser argued that society evolves by transcending previous structures toward an "integral" consciousness, which integrates and harmonizes the previous modes. His work offers a framework for understanding cultural, spiritual, and psychological development, emphasizing that humanity’s future depends on embracing this integral awareness to address complex global challenges.