Buddhism And Modern Physics Volume 1 2nd Edition PDF Download

The book investigates distinctions between independent individuality and interactive relationality in physical phenomena. This is a common topic for investigation in modern physics and philosophy of science, and the topic is explored using contemporary research in those disciplines. Additionally, it is common for Buddhism to focus on relationships, and it proposes that independent individual things do not exist. In the context of physical reality, I take this Buddhist view as a hypothesis and examine it critically. We evaluate its arguments and find them generally to be problematic when evaluated against modern standards for logic and physics. However, its fundamental principle--emptiness, or shunyata--is still worthy of being tested. Contrary to many books on Buddhism and science, this one takes a very positive view of science. Yet, this depends on how we define 'science'. Hence, the book begins with an examination of that topic, informed by philosophy of science and the author's experience and training as physicist and philosopher. While we discuss, explain and justify many standard views of science, and present the standard elements of science, physics and physics theories, the book argues extensively for one perspective: pluralism in a synthesis of the author's design. I will show Buddhist 'emptiness' (shunyata) to be quite consistent with the knowledge framework of Physical Pluralism. When we test shunyata against the results of physics--while interpreting them within that knowledge framework--we discover the relevance, importance, and some truth in the Buddhist relationality ideas. For nearly four decades, Robert Alan Paul has studied physics, had a career as a physicist, and both studied and practiced Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a bachelor's degree in physics, and separate master's degrees in philosophy; philosophy of science and mathematics; and physics (abd). He holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in four disciplines: philosophy of science, Western analytic metaphysics, Buddhist philosophy, and physics. His Ph.D. dissertation was the foundation for this book.This Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary provides a brief introductory treatment of the topic designed for the general audience. You may read Volume 1 independently from Volume 2: Scholarly Edition. Both volumes provide background and develop concepts from a non-technical and non-specialized starting point. However, this Volume 1 stops there, while in Volume 2 we examine extensive treatments of controversies, complexities and technical details, plus elaborate explanations and examples. Volume 2 contains hundreds of citations and footnotes, while Volume 1 has no footnotes and few citations, although both have complete bibliographies. The series Buddhism and Modern Science will include books that examine links between Buddhism and the life and social sciences, e.g. neuroscience, economics, and geopolitics.