Description
Book SynopsisRebirth and the Stream of Life explores the diversity as well as the ethical and religious significance of rebirth beliefs, focusing especially on Hindu and Buddhist traditions but also discussing indigenous religions and ancient Greek thought. Utilizing resources from religious studies, anthropology and theology, an expanded conception of philosophy of religion is exemplified, which takes seriously lived experience rather than treating religious beliefs in isolation from their place in believers’ lives. Drawing upon his expertise in interdisciplinary working and Wittgenstein-influenced approaches, Mikel Burley examines several interrelated phenomena, including purported past-life memories, the relationship between metaphysics and ethics, efforts to ‘demythologize’ rebirth, and moral critiques of the doctrine of karma. This range of topics, with rebirth as a unifying theme, makes the book of value to anyone interested in philosophy, the study of religions, and what it means to believe that we undergo multiple lives.
Trade ReviewMikel Burley has written a profound and intriguing study of reincarnation and its relation to karma and ethics using his depth of knowledge of religious traditions and discussions by philosophers, religious studies experts, and anthropologists of the ethical and experiential meaning of rebirth … Burley not only shares an immense knowledge of Western, Hindu, and Buddhist scholarship on all dimensions of rebirth, he also uses his words very artfully and insightfully. * Reading Religion *
[A]n original, fascinating, and deeply informed book. It gives a detailed understanding of what it means to believe that we undergo multiple lives with the adequate use of resources from religious studies, anthropology, and theology. ... The author’s reference to various interrelated phenomena such as memories, metaphysics, ethics, demythologize, and the doctrine of Karma makes the book an invaluable one. ... [A] masterpiece ... recommended for every category of people, especially scholars and students of philosophy of religions. * Reviews in Religion and Theology *
With clarity and erudition, Burley shows how the many varieties of belief in rebirth are intelligible only in relation to the cultural and moral practices in which a society’s concepts, like that of personhood, are embedded. The sympathetic understanding of rebirth and karma that Burley himself displays is a welcome change from the brusque dismissal of these notions by critics still in the grip of the distorting 'pictures' he exposes. * David E. Cooper, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Durham University, UK *
Burley’s book is an original and incisive contribution to the philosophy of religion. In an exemplary manner, it pays careful attention to possibilities of meaning in order to bring out the sense of rebirth beliefs within the 'stream of life' of a believing community. It is a first-rate piece of work and deserves to have a very large readership. * Brian R. Clack, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of San Diego, USA *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction: Thinking about Rebirth ‘Stream of life’ Terminological matters An expanded conception of philosophy of religion Chapter summaries 1) Varieties of Rebirth Soteriological orientations Retributive correlations Affinitive and consanguineous continuities Concluding remarks 2) Remembering Having Lived Before? ‘Infamous puzzle cases’ Rebirth and remembering Remembering and merely seeming to remember Lived examples Concluding remarks 3) Finding Meaning in Multiple Lives Allegedly fatal objections to rebirth The ethical significance of ‘same person’ Simultaneous multiplicity Rebirth and the spirit world Concluding remarks 4) Integrating Rebirth and Ethics Transmigration and moral outlooks in ancient Greece Eschatologies and ‘ethicization’ Instances of non-karmic ethical integration Concluding remarks 5) Demythologizing Rebirth? ‘Demythologizing’ in theology and the study of religions Karma and rebirth without personal continuation Critical discussion Concluding remarks 6) Karma and Evil Karma as a principle of moral guidance Is the doctrine of karma incoherent? The problem of ‘blaming the victim’ A deep disagreement Alternative aspects of karma Concluding remarks 7) Conclusions Disrupting assumptions Diversity and dispute Methodological reflections Bibliography Index
