Description
Book SynopsisIn this third decade of the 21st century, deep problems plague our world. Many people lack adequate nutrition, health care, and education, becausewhile there is enough wealth for everyone to meet these basic needsmost of it is tightly controlled by precious few. Global warming causes droughts, floods, rising sea levels, and soon the forced migrations of millions of people. In this book, philosopher Graham Priest explains why we find ourselves in this situation, defines the nature of the problems we face, and explains how we might solve and move beyond our current state. The first part of this book draws on Buddhist philosophy, Marx's analysis of capitalism, and their complementary role in explaining our present crisis and the events that led us here. In the second part of the book, Priest turns to the much harder question of how one might go about creating a more rational and humane world. Here, he draws again on Buddhist and Marxist ideas as well as some key aspects of anarchist th
Trade Review
"Although there have been a number of attempts recently to combine Buddhism and Marxism, this is the first full length systematic demonstration of how these two perspectives are complementary and can mutually supplement each other to guide the political praxis that would create a more humane world. The author skillfully inserts elements of anarchism in order to challenge the top-down political thinking that has all too often infected Marxism and presents a powerful argument for the necessity of building a bottom-up revolutionary movement that would pre-figure a post-capitalist society. Overall, the author draws on an impressive range of philosophical, psychological, and political resources to show how effective social political action requires a fundamental shift in our way of seeing and of being in the world."
Karsten J. Struhl, New School for Public Engagement, New York, USA
Table of Contents1. Prolegomenon to Part I 2. Some Elements of Buddhist Philosophy 3. Some Elements of Marxist Philosophy 4. Anātman and Gattungswesen 5. The Elements as Complementary 6. Farewell to Capitalism 7. Prolegomenon to Part II 8. Power and the State 9. Society—from the Bottom Up 10. A Transition Towards This 11. Ideology, Consciousness, Education 12. Changing Oneself 13. Matters Arising
