The Eleven Distinctions

Abstract

This paper discusses eleven distinctions that develop ideas about how society can ensure that every individual is given the capacity to reach her highest potential. The distinctions show us that the mother‐child (and/or caretaker‐child) relationship and early environments not only overwhelmingly shape each person’s development, but also serve as a model for human development in all stages of life; that humans control their environments; that the nature of work is changing and the only successful response is continual learning; that systems designed to share knowledge with and collect knowledge from all participants build trust and accomplish goals. Problems with current learning systems, how value is derived in the modern economy, and implementation of Learning and Working Communities are also discussed.