Buddhism & the Contemporary World Change and Self-Correction

Southern Illinois University. Near Fine. 1982. First American Edition. Softcover. 0809310716 . Tight unmarked book in clean covers. ; 0.75 x 9 x 6 Inches; 208 pages; <div><div>Charles<b> </b>Hartshorne characterizes this book as &#8220;an eloquent and insightful presentation of the claims of Buddhism to the attention of thoughtful people in this country, espe­cially those aware of the widely influential process philosophy and process theology of Whitehead.&#8221;<br> <br>Stressing Buddhism as opposed to West­ern philosophy, Jacobson concentrates on the theme of the self-corrective nature of Buddhism, ending with a strong emphasis on &#8220;self-surpassing Oneness.&#8221; Introducing the reader to the major perspectives of Buddhist philosophy, he notes that &#8220;the more fully awakened we become to the moments that are the real event, the more we will recog­nize how much we need each other to enrich these <i>nows, </i>and the less tempted we will be to serve that abstract and false self.&#8221;<br> <br>Because everything on earth is a part of everything else, an organic whole, even the most enlightened self-interest is irrational and destructive. The rational person seeks to &#8220;infuse the life we live with the novel qualities of each <i>now.&#8221; </i>The rational person further struggles to &#8220;free himself from the one-sided, self-justifying cultural cocoons that have dwarfed and warped his awareness and crippled cross-cultural communica­tions,&#8221; according to Jacobson. Buddhism of­fers the only alternative to the enervated economic, political, diplomatic, and military measures presently used to &#8220;cope with un­derlying disaster.&#8221;<br></div></div> .