Mind and Life: Discussions with the Dalai Lama on the Nature of RealityColumbia University Press, 2009 - 218 pages For over a decade, a small group of scientists and philosophers--members of the Mind and Life Institute--have met regularly to explore the intersection between science and the spirit. At one of these meetings, the themes discussed were both fundamental and profound: can physics, chemistry, and biology explain the mystery of life? How do our philosophical assumptions influence science and the ethics we bring to biotechnology? And how does an ancient spiritual tradition throw new light on these questions? Pier Luigi Luisi not only reproduces this dramatic, cross-cultural dialogue, in which world-class scientists, philosophers, and Buddhist scholars develop a holistic approach to the scientific exploration of reality, but also adds scientific background to their presentations, as well as supplementary discussions with prominent participants and attendees. Interviews with His Holiness the Karmapa, the Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard, and the actor and longtime human rights advocate Richard Gere take the proceedings into new directions, enriching the material with personal viewpoints and lively conversation about such topics as the origin of matter, the properties of cells, the nature of evolution, the ethics of genetic manipulation, and the question of consciousness and ethics. A keen study of character, Luisi incorporates his own amusing observations into this fascinating dialogue, painting a very human portrait of some of our greatest--and most intimidating--thinkers. Deeply textured and cleverly crafted, Mind and Life is an excellent opportunity for any reader to join in the debate surrounding this cutting-edge field of inquiry. |
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Mind and Life: Discussions with the Dalai Lama on the Nature of Reality P. L. Luisi,Zara Houshmand Aucun aperçu disponible - 2009 |
Expressions et termes fréquents
acid Alan Wallace amoeba animals arise Arthur Zajonc asked atoms autopoiesis bacterium basic beginning beginninglessness biological brain Buddhist called cause cell cellular chemical cognition compassion complexity consciousness continued Dalai Lama developed Dharamsala Dharma dialogue discussion disease electron embryo emergent property emotions ence entity environment enzyme Eric Lander ethical evolution example existence experience flagellum Francisco Varela genes genetic happen Holiness human genome idea important intrinsic Karmapa kind knowledge Lama’s liposomes living look luigi mathematics matter Matthieu Ricard mental Michel Bitbol million mind molecular molecules monks mouse mutation nature notion objects organism origin particles particular perception phenomena philosophical physics plants protein quantum mechanics question reality receptors scientific scientists self-organization sentient sequence simple Steven Chu structure talk theory there’s things Thupten Jinpa Tibetan Tibetan Buddhism tion understand universe Ursula Ursula Goodenough Western