Polycrises are driven by an interaction of factors such as climate change, species extinction, pandemics, overpopulation, and economic inequality. They reinforce each other, increasing the dangers. Man’s influence on them is rooted in his ancient demand for dominion over nature and his weaker fellows. With the modern Enlightenment and the associated methods of science, technology and economics, this claim to dominance begins to irreversibly destroy nature, and with it the basis of our own lives. Ways to overcome the polycrises therefore presuppose a radical change of consciousness, which abolishes the sharp separation of human mind and material nature. Humanity should again experience itself as a part of the entire ecosystem and act accordingly. The concept of transdisciplinarity contributes to this. Beyond disciplinary boundaries, it holistically integrates different forms of human knowledge. It overcomes the limitations of disciplinary thinking and combines scientific, philosophical, ethical, and spiritual dimensions. Referring to philosophical thinkers from Heraklit, and Plato to Martin Heidegger, Karl Jaspers, Ludwig Fleck, Thomas Kuhn, Paul Feyerabend, Basarab Nicolescu and others, the contribution emphasises the limitations of disciplinary thinking and the need to complement it. The author’s model identifies a vertical and a horizontal movement of a transdisciplinary mind. The former ties immanent and transcendent dimensions of reality back to the source of all being (transcendental movement). The latter integrates the diverse forms of extra-scientific knowledge and disciplines to gain a better understanding of our world and to address complex problems. Especially transdisciplinary responsibility is in high demand here. After all, the fundamental power of man to reshape the world with the help of his knowledge forces him to take into account the far-reaching consequences for the whole and to shape it in a way that is benefitial to all forms of life.