
Capitalism--its Nature and its Replacement
Buddhist and Marxist Insights
Graham Priest(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 25. October 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
252 pages
978-1-032-04910-6 (ISBN)
Description
In this third decade of the 21st century, deep problems plague our world. Many people lack adequate nutrition, health care, and education, because-while there is enough wealth for everyone to meet these basic needs-most of it is tightly controlled by precious few. Global warming causes droughts, floods, rising sea levels, and soon the forced migrations of millions of people. In this book, philosopher Graham Priest explains why we find ourselves in this situation, defines the nature of the problems we face, and explains how we might solve and move beyond our current state. The first part of this book draws on Buddhist philosophy, Marx's analysis of capitalism, and their complementary role in explaining our present crisis and the events that led us here. In the second part of the book, Priest turns to the much harder question of how one might go about creating a more rational and humane world. Here, he draws again on Buddhist and Marxist ideas as well as some key aspects of anarchist thought. His discussion of the need for bottom-up control of production, power, ideology, and an emerging awareness of our interdependence is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of the planet and our latent capacity to care for each other.
Key Features
Explains the necessary elements of Marxist, Buddhist, and anarchist thought-no background knowledge of political theory or Buddhism is necessary
Shows how Buddhist and Marxist notions of persons are complementary
Convincingly shows capitalism's role in creating current socio-economic problems
Provides an analysis of the corrosiveness of top-down power structures and why they should be eliminated in a post-capitalist state
Discusses capitalism's role in war, environmental degradation, and race and gender-based oppression
The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.
Key Features
Explains the necessary elements of Marxist, Buddhist, and anarchist thought-no background knowledge of political theory or Buddhism is necessary
Shows how Buddhist and Marxist notions of persons are complementary
Convincingly shows capitalism's role in creating current socio-economic problems
Provides an analysis of the corrosiveness of top-down power structures and why they should be eliminated in a post-capitalist state
Discusses capitalism's role in war, environmental degradation, and race and gender-based oppression
The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license.
Reviews / Votes
"Although there have been a number of attempts recently to combine Buddhism and Marxism, this is the first full length systematic demonstration of how these two perspectives are complementary and can mutually supplement each other to guide the political praxis that would create a more humane world. The author skillfully inserts elements of anarchism in order to challenge the top-down political thinking that has all too often infected Marxism and presents a powerful argument for the necessity of building a bottom-up revolutionary movement that would pre-figure a post-capitalist society. Overall, the author draws on an impressive range of philosophical, psychological, and political resources to show how effective social political action requires a fundamental shift in our way of seeing and of being in the world."Karsten J. Struhl, New School for Public Engagement, New York, USA
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
General, Postgraduate, Undergraduate Advanced, and Undergraduate Core
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 226 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
407 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-04910-6 (9781032049106)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
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10/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
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1st Edition
Routledge
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Routledge
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Person
Graham Priest is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the City University of New York Graduate Center. His books include: In Contradiction (1987, 2006), Beyond the Limits of Thought (1995, 2002), Introduction to Non-classical Logic (2001, 2008), Towards Non-being (2005, 2016), Doubt Truth to Be a Liar (2006), One (2014), and The Fifth Corner of Four (2018).
Content
1. Prolegomenon to Part I 2. Some Elements of Buddhist Philosophy 3. Some Elements of Marxist Philosophy 4. Anatman and Gattungswesen 5. The Elements as Complementary 6. Farewell to Capitalism 7. Prolegomenon to Part II 8. Power and the State 9. Society-from the Bottom Up 10. A Transition Towards This 11. Ideology, Consciousness, Education 12. Changing Oneself 13. Matters Arising