Mutual Causality in Buddihism and General Systems Theory: The Dharma of Natural Systems (Suny Series, Buddhist Studies) (SUNY series in Buddhist Studies) - Softcover

Macy, Joanna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0791406377 ISBN 13: 9780791406373

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 1991

Synopsis

"This book deals with a very important and contemporary topic--breaking out of casual patterns of a reductive sort into more holistic non-reductive ways of thinking and explanation. It also brings together Western and Eastern ideas combining a particularly important aspect of Buddhist thought with new Western conceptions. It belongs to movements toward global integration." -- Henry Le Roy Finch, Hunter College and Graduate Center of the City University of New York

This book brings important new dimensions to the interface between contemporary Western science and ancient Eastern wisdom. Here for the first time the concepts and insights of general systems theory are presented in tandem with those of the Buddha. Remarkable convergences appear between core Buddhist teachings and the systems view of reality, arising in our century from biology and extending into the social and cognitive sciences. Giving a cogent introduction to both bodies of thought, and a fresh interpretation of the Buddha's core teaching of dependent co-arising, this book shows how their common perspective on causality can inform our lives. The interdependence of all beings provides the context for clarifying both the role of meditative practice and guidelines for effective action on behalf of the common good.

About this title

Review:

"This book deals with a very important and contemporary topic -- breaking out of causal patterns of a reductive sort into more holistic non-reductive ways of thinking and explanation. It also brings together Western and Eastern ideas combining a particularly important aspect of Buddhist thought with new Western conceptions. It belongs to movements toward global integration." -- Henry Le Roy Finch, Hunter College and Graduate Center of the City University of New York

From the Back Cover:

This book brings important new dimensions to the interface between contemporary Western science and ancient Eastern wisdom. Here for the first time the concepts and insights of general systems theory are presented in tandem with those of the Buddha. The interdependence of all beings provides the context for clarifying both the role of meditative practice and guidelines for effective action on behalf of the common good.

About this edition

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0791406377
• ISBN 13: 9780791406373
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256