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Although, Capra tries to explain physics in simple terms by omitting mathematical complexities in explaining physics, it is not easy for the novice or for the average person to understand the physic theories that Capra tries to explain in his book.The overemphasis on parallel between language of the mystics and that of the new physicists tends to get confusing and often times, redundant. He tries to unite these two opposites' fields that seem to have been in disagreement during the previous centuries. Fritjof Capra in the Tao of Physics, seeks to reveal his perspective in relation to physics and mystical Eastern belief. For instance, in describing the comparison of the Hadron Bootstrap Theory and that of the Mahayana Buddhism belief of space and time can be viewed as Capra forcing his desire to explain physics in a new way. He analyzes Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Zen and tires to show it's parallel to the new trend of thought in physics. The book overview on Eastern philosophy is a good introduction to anyone who has little knowledge on the subject. Overall, I found the book interesting, witted, and entertaining, especially, in his realization of Tantrism in Hindu mythology. An interesting perspective.
22). This, from another reviewer, sums it up:But it is least of all to history that we should look for confirmation of Capra's thesis. In the early chapters he blames Aristotle and Christianity for the ensuing "lack of interest in the material world" (p. But what cultures ever displayed a more profound and studious disregard for the material world than the Eastern mystical traditions. And why would they hold in high regard something that is at best a creation of the human mind and at worst a deceptive illusion.I would suggest this book for a better comparison of different religions' relationships to science:The Savior of Science
This book is a great book to use as a reference for papers. This book is not an easy read. It also helps me learn quantum physics because it relates it to ideas that I am already familiar with. I also use this book to better understand my spell work. Some parts are quite technical and advanced. It is the kind of book that one can carry around with them for a while and still have different parts to chew on.
He goes into a brief overview of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, and "Chinese Thought" (mostly Confucianism), but after doing so bundles all of them together because they share, to varying degrees, a belief in the interconnectedness of the universe, an aspiration to experience reality beyond the illusion of the duality of everyday life, and an understanding that the universe/reality is a dynamic organism and therefore no "thing" or state is constant. As with just about every other item I've had high hopes for, I was disappointed.I can follow lay-person, general science pretty well. Again, I agree with all of the above. I thought Capra did an excellent job presenting the general history and theories of physics. I'm pretty sure that I agree with the belief that reality is defined by its interdependence and that separating elements from each other is a false construct, but the manner in which he describes this evolution almost gives you the impression that a bunch of Asian philosophers and writers are smugly nodding that they told us so. More essentially, he shows the evolution in physics from a construct of reality as a building with basic elements to one of an interdependent universe which cannot be understood in part but must be understood as a whole. We know at this point- and I'm pretty sure we knew when this book was written in 1974- that "East" and "West" were not separated by an impenetrable barrier before the 1700s but that there was a rich and varied dialogue of ideas and concepts (and even sophisticated trade).
I have no argument with his presentation or with the ideas and concepts he presents.Unfortunately, Capra makes the almost shocking mistake of stove-piping his subjects. Capra is aided by the familiarity most of his readers will have with the basic concepts of modern physics, courtesy of Einstein, of matter as energy and time as the fourth dimension of reality. He mentions at the very beginning that the Milesian school in Greece in 6th century BC and Heraclitus of Ephesus saw the world as interconnected, dynamic reality. That's a complement to the book, because some of the ideas here are inherently hard for us to grasp.
It is fair to say that I began reading this a few weeks with some excitement. Is it so hard to believe that ideas from "the East" might have made it to Ancient Greece, albeit with some augmentation and alteration along the way. It is not, and that he didn't explore this possibility by the fourth edition baffles me.By treating these two subjects as standalone items, his conclusion that physics "evolves" to resemble the world view of "Eastern" philosophy and religion takes on this odd, almost messianic undertone. I don't think that's what happened.My other complaint about the approach the author used is that he treats "Eastern" philosophy- he calls it mysticism- as a monolith. Capra even goes so far as to note the similarities between the Milesian school and Heraclitus and the "Eastern" philosophies he takes up. By the last three chapters, I found the style grating.That I could pretty easily follow the ideas presented is, I admit, probably a function of how much those ideas have permeated our popular culture since it was written. Esoteric concepts such as objects as processes, nouns as verbs and particles as waves were clearly explained- or at least, as clearly as they can be explained. However, all of the philosophies he mentions have long, complicated political and intellectual histories which affected the development of their ideas (e.g., the emphasis in some Buddhist countries on reincarnation to enforce the social caste systems, or the bloody internecine struggles in Confucian countries over the importance of nature law versus physical essence).
He goes on to describe how Greek scientific philosophy evolved into one of classification and the search for the primal elements- in other words, the exact opposite of their 6th century beginnings. What I was waiting for- and did not find once, anywhere- was for Capra to ask why those similarities existed in the first place. It is a gross over-generalization to put all of them under the same umbrella, especially when he spends so much time explaining certain aspects of physics.In addition, most of the chapters were formulaic- here is the concept from physics, next is the aspect of Eastern philosophy that's applicable. However, I look at this work as a jumping off point and not the final authority on anything presented.
A VERY interesting book, I was thrilled to find it at such a good price. The book was shipped the same day I ordered it and arrived within a few days; it was in excellent condition. I'm thrilled with the find.
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