How the World Can Be the Way It Is: An Inquiry for the New Millennium into Science, Philosophy, and Perception [Paperback]

Steve Hagen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 1998

A Zen priest and former research scientist looks at quantum physics and the fallacy of common sense.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Quest Books (May 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835607402
• ISBN-13: 978-0835607407
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,200,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hagen clearly carves out the limits of conceptual thought, February 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How the World Can Be the Way It Is: An Inquiry for the New Millennium into Science, Philosophy, and Perception (Paperback)

Steve Hagen clearly emphasizes again and again throughout the book, through numerous examples, how the habit of the human mind to immediately conceive (package in terms of words, in terms of memories, in terms of the known) what it sees inevitably leads to contradiction in Reality. By proving Nagarjuna's tetra-lemma, the author demonstrates how conception of objects leads to an artificial, man made, mind made, separation of the object from the Whole and why this is the root of human misery. Hagen shows us that the assumption about "I", the individual ego that is distinct from the Whole, is the most deep rooted concept of all that the entire humanity suffers from. The discussions here echo the principles of Jnana Yoga from ancient Indian Upanishads. Hagen clearly shows how inspite of all the progress that science has made, we still remain distanced from the Ultimate Reality and also how no matter how much progress science makes, this will ever remain to be the case because science, by its very nature, is enmeshed in concepts. An absolutely enthalling book that I would recommend to all readers whose minds are ripe.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steve Hagen's How the World Can Be the Way It Is, June 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: How the World Can Be the Way It Is: An Inquiry for the New Millennium into Science, Philosophy, and Perception (Paperback)

I think this is a great book. I wanted to write a review of it because I think a few of the other Amazon.com reviews are a little misleading. First, one reader questions "whether it is possible - through zen meditation or otherwise - to 'see the world the way it is'" and goes on to say that he doesn't believe it is possible. It seems to me that he is too quick to dismiss what Hagen calls "just seeing." Obviously, it is not something that can be believed or disbelieved, because it is beyond conceptual thought and therefore, doubt. This seems too important to simply write off as being impossible without giving it much consideration.

Another reader says, "To be a little more blunt, the author sure seems to waste a lot of words and concepts trying to convince us of the uselessness of words and concepts." I don't think Hagen is trying to say that words and concepts are useless, in fact, I know that isn't what he is saying. It would be impossible to get by on a day-to-day basis without concepts and words. How could this book have even been written if words and concepts were useless? I think that Hagen is actually trying to say is that we tend to mistake concepts for what is Real and completely lose sight of what is directly in front of us. Words and concepts are very important, but they cannot be substituted for Reality without causing a lot of harm to us. "Just seeing" does not mean that one becomes completely free from all concepts, it simply means that one becomes aware of all conceptual thought and is not confused or misled by it.

While this book may not be "groundbreaking" (in fact, it is simply a modern version of teachings that have existed for hundreds of years), it presents everything clearly and does not require a strong background in science, mathematics, or philosophy to appreciate. If you are interested, I would highly recommend reading this book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for the serious student, September 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How the World Can Be the Way It Is: An Inquiry for the New Millennium into Science, Philosophy, and Perception (Hardcover)

The title of Steve Hagen's book is as fittingly paradoxical as its contents. Although it begins as a fairly straightforward dissection of how our brains/bodies process the outside world - the chronically piecemeal conceptual mind - and how this always gives rise to dissatisfaction, it soon launches into quantum physics and becomes quite a serious scientific analysis (although it is still expressed in layman's terms). It's stimulating and challenging (especially for this 'soft humanities' brain) and definitely recommended if you want a handle on "a world without handles".