Consciousness at the Interface: Wendt, Eastern Wisdom and the Ethics of Intra-Action
Critical Review April 3, 2017 DOI: 10.1080/08913811.2017.1319100 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 20 |
| Key points | Argues that Alexander Wendt's case for a quantum-based social science shares remarkable family resemblances with Buddhist and Daoist thought across five areas: vitalism and life going "all the way down," the subjective and relational nature of consciousness, the ethical significance of language, "changing the past," and the importance of leaders. |
Abstract
Drawing on the family resemblance between quantum physics and Eastern wisdom identified by Niels Bohr, this article brings insights from Buddhism and Daoism to the task of enhancing our understanding of the significance of Alexander Wendt’s argument for a quantum-based social science. Five areas of overlap between his argument and Eastern wisdom are explored: vitalism and the idea that life goes “all the way down”; the dependence of consciousness on both subjectivity and relationality; the ethical significance of language; the notion of “changing the past”; and the importance of leaders. The family resemblances between Wendt’s perspective and those available in Daoism and Buddhism are remarkable.