BEING &

BELONGING
M A R C U S D E B R U N
There is at present hidden from view, a spirit of our times, something that might be referred to as a
Zeitgeist; a reaction to the culture-consuming process of globalisation and the humanitarian and
ecological consequences of a dysfunctional democracy and the free market. As these ongoing crises
proceed towards their predictable endpoints this Zeitgeist will emerge as the only logical and viable
alternative for the continued existence of our species.
In this thought provoking and challenging book Marcus de Brun examines the nature of human
instinct which he argues is based on the imperative to be and belong. He forcibly argues that the
unhappiness and dysfunction of our market led society arises out of misunderstood instinct.
Society is now faced with an ultimatum: either we evolve a philosophical and political system that
is compatible with basic morality and global ecology, or we face the consequences of a deepening
personal and social unhappiness, impending ecological collapse, humanitarian disasters and war.
This book is about happiness; individual happiness and social happiness. To achieve happiness we
must understand our needs and to reconcile those needs we must understand our instinct. When we
see our instinct we see the object towards which nature is striving and we glimpse the potential to
be at peace with the universe.
By far the most productive pursuit of happiness begins, and ends, with an understanding of ones
own desires, only then can they be satisfied in a manner that is conducive to the best and most
sustainable experience of happiness. The deeper desires of the individual are universal, and whilst
this book does not propose to be a handbook for individual happiness it does aim at a better
understanding of the universal instinctual desire that bids us to be, and to belong.
Dr. Marcus de Brun is General Practitioner working and living in Dublin.From being expelled from
boarding school to qualifying as a General Practitioner his life and career have been colourful. Dr
De Brun writes for the Medical Press and his articles are invariably controversial. He is a resolute
critic of the Irish Medical establishment, and believes that it is one of many blatant examples of in-
stitutional corruption that currently paralyse the social, cultural and intellectual development of
the Irish people and the Irish State.
BEI NG &
BELONGI NG
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RRP 14.00
E S S A Y
www. publ i booki r e l and. c om
ZEITGEIST; A SPIRIT OF OUR TIMES