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Title: The Web of Life : A New Scientific Understanding of Living Systems by Fritjof Capra ISBN: 0-385-47676-0 Publisher: Doubleday Pub. Date: 15 September, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.94 (18 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: a right-brain view of the world
Comment: The Web of Life has been a revelation to me: I have always been struck by the beauty to be uncovered in the study of biology; however, I have found too many books on biology to be dry and reductionist, completely ignoring the metaphysical, aesthetic aspect of the life sciences.
This book is the first of many more I hope to read on this deeper aspect of biology and ecology. Capra looks at the life sciences through the lens of systems theory, and thus provides a very good introduction to systems theory for those (like me) who are novices. He also gives an account of life, from its earliest origins on up to the beginnings of human consciousness, working with the ideas of the main developers of systems theory over the past several decades.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this theory (or perhaps I should say set of theories) for me is how it describes and works out in more detail a basic intuition that many of us have even as children (and that many spiritual traditions have always recognized): that all things are connected in a giant web-work (wheels within wheels within wheels....). Anyone responding to this intuition knows that no being can be understood without looking at both the patterns it comprises, as well as the greater patterns it is a part of.
Another provocative aspect of these theories is how they push the definition of life out farther and farther, for in many ways all dissapative systems (economies, cultures, hurricanes) can be seen as having living qualities.
I disagree with the criticisms of the reviewers who complain that this book is derivative and contains too few original ideas. The author's intent here was to present a synthesis of teachings on a subject which is still new to many people, whilst arguing for a more appreciative and reverent attitude towards the world we live in. The result is a book which is not only fascinating but inspiring as well.
Rating: 5
Summary: Whem science takes new age by the hand
Comment: I arrived to this author out of a suggestion found while reading a Wayne Dyer book. To my surprise this work is much more that what I bargained for. Eventhough most of the issues discussed herein involve deep philosophical and scientific issues, from the fields of chemistry, physics and biology, Mr. Capra does a superb job placing difficult concepts at a level, that any person with a basic level of education will understand him. What is most amazing is that he hardly falls in the custom of explaining through metaphors, which usually misleads more than explain. On the contrary, he carefully selects the words and phrases so the reader will not be left behind or fall asleep.
The best way to summarize what this book is about, is by using the author's words:
"My thesis has been that a theory of a living systems consistent with the philosophical framework of deep ecology, including an appropriate mathematical language and implying a non mechanistic, post-Cartesian understanding of life, is now emerging"
And guauu, this guy is a great advocate of his case.
Rating: 5
Summary: Very informative and easy to understand
Comment: I thought this book was very informative and easy to understand for people who are not experts in systems theory. It provided me with a nice holistic perspective of the systems we are involved in. Through his books, Frijof Capra is spreading a holistic way of looking at life. I believe that his books serve a very important function in this age of materialism, urban alienation, spiritual confusion and chaos. Although there are many great books that serve this purpose, this is defintiely one of them. Another book that serves this wonderful purpose is, "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. It is an incredible book that uses the systems approach to understand how our subjective selves are also involved in these systems. If the world is to become a better place, both books should be read by many many more people.
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Title: The Hidden Connections: Integrating The Biological, Cognitive, And Social Dimensions Of Life Into A Science Of Sustainability by Fritjof Capra ISBN: 0385494718 Publisher: Doubleday Pub. Date: 20 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Turning Point : Science, Society, and the Rising Culture by Fritjof Capra ISBN: 0553345729 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 01 August, 1984 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra ISBN: 1570625190 Publisher: Shambhala Pub. Date: 04 January, 2000 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: The Systems View of the World: A Holistic Vision for Our Time by Ervin Laszlo ISBN: 1572730536 Publisher: Hampton Pr Pub. Date: June, 1996 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Systems Thinking, Systems Practice: Includes a 30-Year Retrospective by Peter Checkland ISBN: 0471986062 Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Pub. Date: 16 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $65.00 |
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