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Buddhism and Science: A Guide for the Perplexed (Buddhism and Modernity)
Beginning in the nineteenth century and continuing to the present day, both Buddhists and admirers of Buddhism have proclaimed the compatibility of Buddhism and science. Their assertions have ranged from modest claims about the efficacy of meditation for mental health to grander declarations that the Buddha himself anticipated the theories of relativity, quantum physics and the big bang more than two millennia ago. In Buddhism and Science, Donald S. Lopez Jr. is less interested in evaluating the accuracy of such claims than in exploring how and why these two seemingly disparate modes of understanding the inner and outer universe have been so persistently linked. Lopez opens with an account of the rise and fall of Mount Meru, the great peak that stands at the center of the flat earth of Buddhist cosmography—and which was interpreted anew once it proved incompatible with modern geography. From there, he analyzes the way in which Buddhist concepts of spiritual nobility were enlisted to support the notorious science of race in the nineteenth century. Bringing the story to the present, Lopez explores the Dalai Lama’s interest in scientific discoveries, as well as the implications of research on meditation for neuroscience. Lopez argues that by presenting an ancient Asian tradition as compatible with—and even anticipating—scientific discoveries, European enthusiasts and Asian elites have sidestepped the debates on the relevance of religion in the modern world that began in the nineteenth century and still flare today. As new discoveries continue to reshape our understanding of mind and matter, Buddhism and Science will be indispensable reading for those fascinated by religion, science, and their often vexed relation. .
Price: $15.68
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The Guide of the Perplexed
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Quantum: A Guide for the Perplexed
In this lively look at quantum science, a physicist takes you on an entertaining and enlightening journey through the basics of subatomic physics.Along the way he examines the paradox of quantum mechanics—beautifully mathematical in theory but confoundingly unpredictable in the real world. Marvel at the Dual Slit experiment as a tiny atom passes through 2 separate openings at the same time. Ponder the peculiar communication of quantum particles, which can remain in touch no matter how far apart. Join the genius jewel thief as he carries out a quantum measurement on a diamond without ever touching the object in question. With its clean, colorful layout and conversational tone, this text will hook you into the conundrum that is quantum mechanics. “Takes readers on a fascinating journey. Al-Khalili [uses] simple and clear language and he provides excellent graphics. This is mandatory reading for undergraduates with or without a science background.”— Library Journal .
Price: $9.94
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God: A Guide For the Perplexed
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The Guide for the Perplexed (Forgotten Books)
Book Description:"There is a saying that the history of Jewish doctrine goes runs from 'Moses to Moses'; the second of which is Moses Maimonides Maimonides (1120-1190) was a brilliant Hispanic Jewish scholar who lived in Spain and Egypt in the 12th century. In addition to being a philosopher, Maimonides also worked as a medical doctor. The Guide for the Perplexed, originally written in Arabic, and soon translated into Hebrew and widely read, is his best known work. The framing story is that it is a letter written to one of his students, to prepare him to understand the background of the Merkabah (the Chariot of Ezekiel) narrative. In the course of this, Maimonides delves into the most difficult questions of theology and reality itself, many of which are still controversial today. Did the universe have a beginning? Will it ever end? What is the nature of evil? Does the complexity of organic life imply some kind of rational design? The Guide consists of three books. The first book deals with the nature of God, concluding that God cannot be described in positive terms. He uses this argument to systematically deconstruct the Islamic Kalam literalist school of thought, which anthropomorphized God. The second book examines natural philosophy, particularly Aristotle's system of concentric spheres, and theories of the creation and duration of the universe, and the theory of angels and prophecy. In the last Book, he expounds the mystical Merkabah section of Ezekiel, skirting the traditional prohibition of direct explanation of this passage. After this he covers the 613 laws of the Pentateuch, organized into 14 branches, attempting to present rational explanations for each law. Throughout, Maimonides stresses that the student needs to consider all theories. He draws from Jewish, Islamic and ancient Greek philosophers, and evaluates each one on their merits. Most notably, he scrutinizes Aristotle's natural science in the light of scripture and physcial evidence--sometimes critically, foreshadowing the spirit of the Renaissance. The seed of the scientific method is also present in his discussion of permitted cures, reflecting his medical background: "the Law permits as medicine everything that has been verified by experiment." Controversial when it was written, the Guide continues to be a key reference point in the evolution of philosophy, and will be a rewarding journey for the modern reader. " (Quote from sacred-texts.com)Table of Contents:Publisher's Preface; Preface; Preface To Volume One Of The First Edition; The Life Of Moses Maimonides; The Moreh Nebuchim Literature; Analysis Of The Guide For The Perplexed; Introduction; Letter Of The Author To His Pupil, R. Joseph Ibn Aknin; Prefatory Remarks; Directions For The Study Of This Work; Introductory Remarks; Part I.; Chapter I.; Chapter ii.; Chapter iii.; Chapter iv.; Chapter V.; Chapter vi.; Chapter vii.; Chapter viii.; Chapter ix.; Chapter X.; Chapter xi.; Chapter xii.; Chapter xiii.; Chapter xiv.; Chapter xv.; Chapter xvi.; Chapter xvii.; Chapter xviii.; Chapter xix.; Chapter xx.; Chapter xxi.; Chapter xxii.; Chapter xxiii.; Chapter xxiv.; Chapter xxv.; Chapter xxvi.; Chapter xxvii.; Chapter xxviii.; Chapter xxix.; Chapter xxx.; Chapter xxxi.; Chapter xxxii.; Chapter xxxiii.; Chapter xxxiv.; Chapter xxxv.; Chapter xxxvi.; Chapter xxxvii.; Chapter xxxviii.; Chapter xxxix.; Chapter Xl.; Chapter Xli.; Chapter Xlii.; Chapter Xliii.; Chapter Xliv.; Chapter Xlv.; Chapter Xlvi.; Chapter Xlvii.; Chapter Xlviii.; Chapter Xlix.; Chapter L.; Chapter Li.; Chapter Lii.; Chapter Liii.; Chapter Liv.; Chapter Lv.; Chapter Lvi.; Chapter Lvii.; Chapter Lviii.; Chapter Lix.; Chapter Lx.; Chapter Lxi.; Chapter Lxii.; Chapter Lxiii.; Chapter Lxiv.; Chapter Lxv.; Chapter Lxvi.; Chapter Lxvii.; Chapter Lxviii.; Chapter Lxix.; Chapter Lxx.; Chapter Lx.
Price: $14.29
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Mathematical Models of Social Evolution: A Guide for the Perplexed
Over the last several decades, mathematical models have become central to the study of social evolution, both in biology and the social sciences But students in these disciplines often seriously lack the tools to understand them. A primer on behavioral modeling that includes both mathematics and evolutionary theory, Mathematical Models of Social Evolution aims to make the student and professional researcher in biology and the social sciences fully conversant in the language of the field.
Teaching biological concepts from which models can be developed, Richard McElreath and Robert Boyd introduce readers to many of the typical mathematical tools that are used to analyze evolutionary models and end each chapter with a set of problems that draw upon these techniques. Mathematical Models of Social Evolution equips behaviorists and evolutionary biologists with the mathematical knowledge to truly understand the models on which their research depends. Ultimately, McElreath and Boyd’s goal is to impart the fundamental concepts that underlie modern biological understandings of the evolution of behavior so that readers will be able to more fully appreciate journal articles and scientific literature, and start building models of their own. .
Price: $19.98
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Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed (Guides for the Perplexed)
This "Guide for the Perplexed" provides an advanced introduction to literary theory from basic information and orientation for the uninformed leading on to more sophisticated readings. It engages directly with the difficulty many students find intimidating, asking 'What is "Literary Theory"?' and offering a clear, concise, accessible guide to the major theories and theorists, including: humanism; structuralism; poststructuralism; psychoanalytic approaches; feminist approaches; queer theory; ideology and discourse; new historicism; race and postcolonialism; and postmodernism. The final chapter points to new directions in literary and cultural theory..
Price: $11.49
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Bart Simpson's Guide to Life: A Wee Handbook for the Perplexed
Starved for the whole truth, man? Take a bite out of this bitsy but beefy package, brimming with flavorized morsels of wit, wisdom and worldly knowledge brought to you by the one and only Bartholomew J. Simpson -- get the hard-knocks facts of life from the guy who's seen it all, heard it all, done it all and denies it all. (The "J" stands for "Jo-Jo"...).
Price: $1.48
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