|
|
|
|
|
|
HomeShop at BookSurgeReligionPhilosophyPiercing the Veil: Comparing Science and Mysticism as Ways of Knowing Reality |
|
|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 2 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Review of Piercing the Veil by Ricjard H. Jones Oct 12, 2010
By J. L. Van Hooser
J. L. Van Hooser
Piercing the Veil, Comparing Science and Mysticism As Ways of Knowing Reality
By Richard H. Jones
Jackson Square Books, 2010
"At first glance, science and mysticism make strange bedfellows. The former is the paradigm of objective knowledge while the latter seems both strictly subjective and totally irrelevant to the things scientists study; indeed, many doubt that mysticism is a form of knowing at all." Richard H. Jones
In Piercing the Veil the author, Mr. Richard H. Jones delves into the controversy of mystical experiences and enlightenment and western science and whether mysticism and science have a common relationship. Mr. Jones goes into detail explaining the mystical philosophies and the techniques used by mystic practitioners as well as those employed by the western science community. He then applies the technique of each philosophy to the others study. His conclusion is that there can be no direct relationship between the two philosophies of mysticism and science because the fundamental principles used by each study to achieve results are in direct opposition to one another. He does, however have interesting hypotheses in that although there can be no direct relationship between mysticism and science, there can be an indirect symbiotic relationship in that mysticism may teach western scientists a new way of looking at existing theories as well as showing them how to form new approaches to solve unanswered questions. As an example, in chapter nine the Dalai Lama `...distinguishes between what is negated through science and what is simply has not been observed through a scientific method." Mr. Jones further suggests that by applying western science technique may help modernize eastern philosophies that have seemingly gone unchanged since the Middle Ages making it more acceptable to western thinkers and for eastern mysticism to gain legitimacy as a separate branch of science.
I found Piercing the Veil, Comparing Science and Mysticism As Ways of Knowing Reality by Richard H. Jones to be a compelling, well structured book, Mr. Jones' arguments are well balanced, researched, and referenced. Additionally, the book contains a plethora of research material for data mining. I believe whether you are a serious student of theology, mysticism, or science, or just a casual reader, you will find this book to be fascinating.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Required Reading Feb 10, 2011
By maverick909
This book is an excellent corrective to New Age books like Fritjof Capra's "The Tao of Physics." Jones actually studied the Buddhist and Hindu texts rather than approached them with the preceived idea that science and mysticism are converging. He found that the differences greatly outweigh the idea of convergence in any substantive way. He also shows that the Dalai Lama's conciliatory attitude toward science in his "Universe in a Single Atom" has limits when it comes to issues central to Buddhism such as life after death and consciousness.
The first third of this book gives a useful introduction for any "science and mysticism" study. The second third looks at current attempts to compare science and mysticism and exposed the problems. The last third covers more general topics in the study of mysticism such as the neurological study of meditators and also proposes a way that science and mysticism can both be accepted as ways of knowing.
Overall, I think anyone who takes New Age ideas on science and mysticism seriously ought to be required to read the author's two books on the subject. Others who are interested in philosophy of religion, religion and science, mysticism, or different ways of looking at the world will also find this book very simulating. (I preferred this book to his earlier one "Science and Mysticism," but the earlier one does have more material on the Buddhist and Vedantist traditions.)
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
