Dr. Axel Dorscht
9 Second Avenue, Suite 2
Ottawa, ON K1S 2H2
Canada
Tel: 1-613-233-8354
Cell: 1-343-996-4969
E-mail: a.dorscht@ihcmd.org
Biographical
Note
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Axel Dorscht is the founder and head
of the Institute for Human Conceptual and Mental Development (IHCMD). He has directed the
work of the Institute since its founding in 1990. He holds a Ph.D. in political economy
(Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, 1988), a M.A. in International Relations, and a B.A.
(Hons) in Political Science (Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada, 1977 and 1975).
Since 1990, he has been involved in two major studies: One is understanding the mind on
the inside, as the place where we consciously exist and act, where the inner mental life
takes place and where the mental self is active. Understanding the nature, elements and
processes, the conditions, needs, demands and challenges of the mind, our inner mental
life and the mental self, our role and responsibility in them, how to manage and deal with
them.
The other study is about the historical
path and direction of human conceptual and mental self-development. How through the ages
human beings have made sense of their experience, the conditions of existence that lie
behind them, and how to deal with them. The mental powers and abilities, mental skills and
practices they developed, on which they relied, how they developed and used them. Which
lie behind, define and govern socio-cultural developments that have brought the human
species to where we find ourselves today and the problems and difficulties we face and we
create. The direction of the answers and solutions, the direction we need to take in
conceptual and mental development and growth, individually, as society and as a species,
to understand and manage existence and development in sustainable, equitable, secure and
peaceful ways. Together the two studies provide the conceptual foundation and framework of
understanding of the work of the Institute.
Starting in 1996 he has hosted a series of Online workshops, summer schools, study and
training programs, and on-the-ground lecture series about sustaining existence and
development in changing conditions, understanding and managing them from the ground up, at
the level of the natural conditions of existence, beginning with the individual, starting
with the mind, the inner mental life and the mental self.
Prior to the work with the Institute for
Human Conceptual and Mental Development, he has worked as a consultant in international
development (IDRC and CIDA, 1988-92), as a professor and lecturer in political science,
Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada), University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Canada) and St.
Francis Xavier University (Antigonish, Canada, 1983-87), as a free-lance correspondent in
Germany (for the Financial Post, Canada, 1981-82), and as a researcher in political,
social and economic development (in Canada and Europe, 1980-82).
