Caring Economics
Conversations on Altruism and Compassion, Between Scientists, Economists, and the Dalai Lama
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- $16.99
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
A COLLECTION OF INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED SCIENTISTS AND ECONOMISTS IN DIALOGUE WITH HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA, ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR A MORE ALTRUISTIC ECONOMY
Can the hyperambitious, bottom-line-driven practices of the global economy incorporate compassion into the pursuit of wealth? Or is economics driven solely by materialism and self-interest? In Caring Economics, experts consider these questions alongside the Dalai Lama in a wide-ranging, scientific-based discussion on economics and altruism.
Begun in 1987, the Mind and Life Institute arose out of a series of conferences held with the Dalai Lama and a range of scientists that sought to form a connection between the empiricism of contemporary scientific inquiry and the contemplative, compassion-based practices of Buddhism. Caring Economics is based on a conference held by the Mind and Life Institute in Zurich in which experts from all over the world gathered to discuss the possibility of having a global economy focused on compassion and altruism. Each chapter consists of a presentation by an expert in the field, followed by a discussion with the Dalai Lama in which he offers his response and his own unique insights on the subject.
In this provocative and inspiring book, learn how wealth doesn't need to be selfish, how in fact, empathy and compassion may be the path to a healthier world economy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Since 1987, Zurich's Mind & Life Institute has held annual conferences with the Dalai Lama and scientists from various disciplines. This volume presents the results of the April 2010 session, on "Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems." Editors Singer and Ricard massaged the raw transcripts into a narrative addressing key questions of our time, such as how we can reconcile altruism with the need for financial growth, and how we can narrow the divide between rich and poor. In addition to the Dalai Lama who is present throughout contributors include experimental social psychologist Dan Batson; co-editors Singer and Ricard, a neuroscientist and Buddhist monk, respectively; professor of psychology Richard Davidson; microeconomics professor Ernst Fehr; professor of religion John Dunne; and asset-management company CEO Antoinette Hunziker-Ebneter. They discuss such subjects as the egoism-altruism debate; the neurological basis of empathy, compassion, and altruism; "Buddhist economics"; the link between happiness levels and economics; and microfinance. The variety of academic perspectives is intriguing, but what ties this collection together is the Dalai Lama's charm, grace, and intelligence. Though the book's audience will likely be limited, the more idealistically inclined "masters of the universe" should find it riveting and inspiring.
