Book cover of Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory: The Dharma of Natural Systems

Book description

This book brings important new dimensions to the interface between contemporary Western science and ancient Eastern wisdom. Here for the first time the concepts and insights of general systems theory are presented in tandem with those of the Buddha. Remarkable convergences appear between core Buddhist teachings and the systems view…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book spoke to me as a scholar of systems theory and due to my upbringing in Buddhist culture. Macy discusses how core teachings of interdependence in Buddhism and the mutual causation concept of general systems theory are similar. This book emphasizes the interdependent relationships among different people, things, societies, and ecosystems as mutually affecting and not unidirectional, leading to and encouraging collective action toward mutual benefits. I also love this book because it can introduce readers to philosophical thoughts that are other than Western, which we tend to be bombarded with in academic publications and education in the US. 

I have come to understand that everything we know is by means of our relationship to whatever we are experiencing. This book describes a wonderful principle of Buddhism called mutual or dependent co-arising, which means that everything is the cause of everything else. This seems to me to be consistent with the findings of quantum physics, in which time is not what we think it is. There is a phenomenon called retrocausality, which means that something in the present can affect something in the past. On a deep level, everything is interconnected with everything else, and has an effect on…

If you love Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory...

Ad

Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Want books like Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory.

Browse books like Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory

Book cover of Science and Human Transformation: Subtle Energies, Intentionality and Consciousness
Book cover of Gödel's Proof
Book cover of Life Force, the Scientific Basis: Volume 2 of the Synchronized Universe

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,211

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory, you might also like...

Book cover of Old Man Country

Old Man Country by Thomas R. Cole,

This book follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom as he narrates encounters with 12 distinguished American men over 80, including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world’s most famous heart surgeon.

In these and other intimate conversations, the book…

Book cover of Lane and the Inventor

Lane and the Inventor by Amy Q. Barker,

A grumpy-sunshine, slow-burn, sweet-and-steamy romance set in wild and beautiful small-town Colorado. Lane Gravers is a wanderer, adventurer, yoga instructor, and social butterfly when she meets reserved, quiet, pensive Logan Hickory, a loner inventor with a painful past.

Dive into this small-town, steamy romance between two opposites who find love…

5 book lists we think you will like!