Zoe Weil is the cofounder and president of the Institute for Humane Education (IHE) where she created the first graduate program linking human rights, environmental sustainability, and animal protection. An acclaimed speaker, she is the author of seven books, including The World Becomes What We Teach and Above All, Be Kind. Zoe lives in Surrey, ME.

Foreword

Preface: A Better World Is Possible

Introduction: Bad and Better at the Same Time

Chapter 1: A Solutionary Mindset for Next-Level Change

What I've Learned from Improv Comedy

Build relationships

Embrace "Yes, and..."

Bring the love

Help others shine

Cultivating a Solutionary Mindset

What Is a Solutionary Lens?

Solutionary = Next-level Changemaker

Solutionaries take problem-solving to the next level

Solutionaries take humanitarianism to the next level

Solutionaries take problem-identification to the next level

Solutionaries take activism to the next level

Chapter 2: Most Good, Least Harm (MOGO)

Would You Kill a Cousin for a Full Head of Hair?

The MOGO Principle

Do Our Personal Choices Really Matter?

Why the Superlative?

The 3 I's

Inquiry

Introspection

Integrity

MOGO for Whom?

Which birds?

Which sea animals?

Which people?

Make MOGO Choices, But Don't Stop There

Chapter 3: Thinking Like a Solutionary

Be Aware of Assumptions and Judgments

Resist Judgmentalness

What Is Solutionary Thinking?

Critical thinking

Systems thinking

Strategic thinking

Creative thinking

Challenge the Ten Instincts

Chapter 4: Preparing for Your Solutionary Practice

What Is the Story and Path that Led You to This Process?

What Are You Good At? What Do You Love to Do?

Did You Know?

Strive to Be a Campfire Rather than a Forest Fire

Chapter 5: The Four Phases of the Solutionary Process

Phase I: Identify

Select an issue to learn more about

Identify the problem you want to solve

Write down a problem statement

Phase II: Investigate

Connect with everyone you can who has a stake in the problem

Determine the causes of the problem

Research what has succeeded and failed at solving the problem

Phase III: Innovate

Develop solutions that address the causes of the problem, avoid unintended negative consequences, and do the most good and least harm to people, animals, and the environment

Determine which solutions are most solutionary and most feasible for implementation

Draft a plan to implement your solution

Phase IV: Implement

Implement your solution

Assess and share your solution

Celebrate and iterate

Chapter 6: Solutions

Food Solutions

Population Solutions

Economic Solutions

Production Solutions

Political Solutions

Criminal Justice Solutions

Biomedical Research and Drug Testing Solutions

Education Solutions

Conclusion: The Solutionary Way Is Good for You

Notes

Appendix 1: The Solutionary Framework and Solutionary Scale

Appendix 2: The Five Key Questions

Appendix 3: The MOGO Questionnaire

Appendix 4: Chart of Problems, Impacts, and Local Manifestations

Acknowledgments

About the Institute for Humane Education

Index

About the Author

About New Society Publishers