The Uncertain Phoenix is primarily an attempt at cultural self-understanding, based upon our Western experiences, and projected beyond them to the East. For, one of the ways in which Western society might develop is toward a style of creative experience reminiscent of Taoism in China, especially now that the strengths of Western philosophy have been fully extended, if not indeed exhausted. Certainly we are rapidly approaching the limits to our growth and our dominance over nature, society, and human life. In Dr. Hall's view, such control or dominance has been the governing factor in the development of the West; this may now develop into the style of experience and thinking indigenous to classical Oriental - especially Chinese - culture.