Mutual Causality in Buddihism and General Systems Theory: The Dharma of Natural Systems (Suny Series, Buddhist Studies) (Buddhist Studies Series) [Paperback]

Joanna Macy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 1991 | ISBN-10: 0791406377 | ISBN-13: 978-0791406373

'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 move¬ments 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 pre¬sented in tandem with those of the Buddha. Remarkable convergences appear between core Budd hist teachings and the systems view of reality, arising in our century from biology and extending into the social and cognitivesciences. 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. ---Joanna R. Macy is Adjunct Professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley She is the author of Despair and Personal Power in the Nuclear Dharma and Development: Thinking Like a Mountain: Toward a Council of all Beings (with John Seed, Pat Fleming, and Arne Naess); and World as Lover, World as Self.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (June 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791406377
• ISBN-13: 978-0791406373
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #529,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real science in Buddhism, February 22, 2000

By 

Brian C. Holly "Brian" (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mutual Causality in Buddihism and General Systems Theory: The Dharma of Natural Systems (Suny Series, Buddhist Studies) (Buddhist Studies Series) (Paperback)

Joanna Macy cuts through the nonsense dispensed in thing like the the "Tao of Physics" to reveal the real scientific basis of Buddhist concepts. Drawing heavily on Systems theory (cybernetics), she shows that the Buddhist view of the universe as system of ever-changing subsystems in dynamic interaction is not just a scientifically valid view, but a profoundly spiritual one as well. She lights the way to a Buddhism that is no longer dependent on supernaturalism, but yields nothing of its profundity. Her interpretations of traditional Buddhist concepts like no-self and karma are masterful. Every Buddhist should read this book.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dependence Arising...The Wheel of Life, April 16, 2004

By 

Diana Clark (Danville, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mutual Causality in Buddihism and General Systems Theory: The Dharma of Natural Systems (Suny Series, Buddhist Studies) (Buddhist Studies Series) (Paperback)

I still refer to this book when considering the Wisdom aspect of the Dharma. Although most western published books on Dependence Arising and the related subject of Inherent Emptiness, are written from a Mahayana perspective (Garfield, Napper, Hopkins, et alia) commenting on the philosophy of Nagarjuna or Chandrakirti, Macy's book is based on her Sri Lankan co-operative experience and the language is Pali rather than Sanskrit. Nevertheless, this is the BEST introduction to Dependence Arising by far. It explains the philosophy well, and grounds it in practical experience as well as making connection with the Greek Pre-Socratics. This is not a chickey-horsey-ducky guide, but it does explain the Buddhist view of dependence arising (though not Inherent Emptiness) giving the reader the vocabulary to relate a Buddhist worldview with modern society.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here's why Buddhism is a better Meme than Scientism., January 2, 1998

By 

Jim Williams - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mutual Causality in Buddihism and General Systems Theory: The Dharma of Natural Systems (Suny Series, Buddhist Studies) (Buddhist Studies Series) (Paperback)

I knew there was some reason I was attracted to both General Systems and Buddhism, and that they had something in common. This book told me why.

Joanna Macy maintains her "scholastic" focus on the task of comparing these two systems of thought throughout the text, and thereby succeeds briliantly in explaining the basic meaning (singlular) of both systems.