Anna Lisa Tota is Professor of Sociology of Communication at Roma Tre University, where she is also Pro-Rector. In 2023 Einaudi published her latest book, ‘Ecologia del pensiero. Conversazioni con una mente inquinata’ (Ecology of thought: conversations with a polluted mind).
A title that is self-explanatory. The idea of ecology, which we commonly associate with nature, or rather with the environment that surrounds us and in which we live, is here instead associated with the territory of thought, of the mind and of consciousness; in short, of our highest functions as human beings. The mind and consciousness can therefore be polluted, just as the external environment is.
From the conversation with Professor Tota a clear link emerges between ‘sustainable’ thinking and ‘sustainable’ behaviour: the former is the necessary precondition of the latter. Gandhi, after all, had already warned us, in illuminating words that Tota’s book very aptly recalls: ‘Take care of your thoughts, because they will become actions. Take care of your actions, because they will become habits.’
Enjoy the video.
For further reading, you can find the book here:
Anna Lisa Tota Ecologia del pensiero - Conversazioni con una mente inquinata - Einaudi - 2023
