Meeting of East and West: An Inquiry Concerning World Understanding [Paperback]

F. S. C. Northrop (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0918024110 | ISBN-13: 978-0918024114 | Publication Date: June 1979

The impact of Eastern thought on the culture of the United States and Western Europe is now seen in the spread of Buddhism, meditation, martial arts, yoga, oriental art, and hundreds of other Asian imports. F. S. C. Northrop in this perceptive work was one of the first Americans to grasp the full significance of Eastern culture, its distinctive features, and its potential for influencing the rest of the world. Written during World War II, this classic work correctly anticipated the clash of eastern and western ideologies which has dominated the post-war landscape. --- from book's back cover

Product Details

• Paperback: 531 pages
• Publisher: Ox Bow Pr (June 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0918024110
• ISBN-13: 978-0918024114
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,100,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Meeting of East and West, May 7, 2000

By 

J. Krueger "PHD,DD,OHM" (South Gate, California USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Meeting of East and West: An Inquiry Concerning World Understanding (Paperback)

This is one of those truly great books that slaps your mind awake, offering you a completely new world view and interpretation of intellectual history. This book is partially responsible for my choice to study for a PhD in philosophy.It was a life-changer for me and is especially relevant now with its novel, and I believe, accurate understanding of Mexican culture. A monumental work!

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explains a lot, October 14, 2009

By 

Benjamen N. Taber "epluto" (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Meeting of East and West: An Inquiry Concerning World Understanding (Paperback)

Though writing during and after World War II, Northrop's analysis of American and world political and social thought is spot on and more applicable today, with the Health Reform debate, than ever. This book has opened my eyes to the underlying philosophical differences and similarities between people, and the need to understand said philosophies in order to mitigate conflict.

8 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Key influence on Robert M Pirsig, July 20, 2004

By 

Neil Hinrichsen (Knysna South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meeting of East and West: An Inquiry Concerning World Understanding (Paperback)

For what it's worth, this book, which I have not read, was a key influence on Robert M Pirsig, the author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. This is from his 1995 paper on "Subjects, Objects, Data and Values":

"For those who would like more information about this "Conceptually Unknown" than I can give today there is a valuable book called Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel from which I derived the title for my own first book. When the Zen Archer refers to an "it" that shoots the arrow he is referring to what I mean by Dynamic Quality. For those who prefer to stay more within the confines of Western analytical thought there is a book by Prof. F.S.C. Northrop of Yale University called The Meeting of East and West. It is the book that really started me on this philosophic quest that has now lasted 47 years."