This book is about how Western social psychology interfaces with
an Eastern Zen Buddhist perspective. It is neither a purely Zen
Buddhist critique of the former, nor is it merely a social
psychological interpretation of Zen. Rather, it is an attempt to
create common ground between each through the systematic comparison
of certain shared fundamental concepts and ideas. Anglo-American
social psychology is not much more than a century old despite
having its roots in a broad philosophical tradition. Alternately,
the Zen version of Buddhism can trace its historical origins to
roughly 1,500 years ago in China. Even though the two arose at
different times and at first glance appear stridently antithetical,
the authors show that they share considerable areas of overlap.
The logic of Zen contemplates the consequences of the
taken-for-granted tyranny created by personal memories and culture.
These traits, common to every culture, include hubris, greed,
self-centeredness, distrust, prejudice, hatred, fear, anxiety, and
violence. Social psychology leans more toward a "nurture" rather
than "nature" explanation for behavior. Both areas of research are
firmly rooted within the domain of sociological social psychology;
the processes are also sometimes referred to as learning or
conditioning.
Zen challenges in radical terms key assumptions of both
sociology and psychology concerning individual identity, human
nature, and human motivation. This stimulating volume will provoke
new thoughts about an old tradition and a newer area of scholarly
work.
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