Global Philosophical and Ecological Concepts
Cycles, Causality, Ecology and Evolution in Various Traditions and their Impact on Modern Biology
by: Dr Rudi Jansma
Recently a two volume theosophical study was released in which fundamental concepts concerning our views of nature are discussed on a deep level from the philosophical backgrounds of various cultures the world over, ancient and modern. In these books special reference has been made to Jainism (ca. 200 pages), with emphasis on karma doctrine and cosmology. Jain doctrines are compared with a number of other important thought streams in the world, including modern biological science, native American thinking, theosophy and relevant aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism.
To develop our understanding of and approach to nature and life in general for the centuries to come, it is of utmost importance not only to rely on the findings of the cultures which currently seem to dominate the world, but to understand better the total heritage of human thought from ancient times to present.
We live in a time when humanity itself has become an ecological and evolutionary problem for the earth rather than a participating friend. At the same time we live in a unique epoch where many cultures of past and present come together, intermingle and fructify each other.
The concepts of cycles in nature, causality, hierarchical relationships, ecology and evolution are discussed from the view point of a select number of higher cultures which have determined our views and attitudes. This work is a selected presentation of important expressions concerning these concepts, their contrast with general occidental scientific thinking, and speculation about what may be the outcome of the blending of global thought.
The study has been carried out with full respect for all human thinking, and the values and achievements of the great minds of all traditions. It is the conviction of the author that, running through the garland of multicolored beads which make up the totality of human evolution is the thread called truth, and that, despite the differences in approach and on the outer level, truth is what everyone is yearning for.
(This book is a joint publication of Motilal Banarsidass Pvt Ltd (Delhi) and Prakrit Bharati Academy (Jaipur)
About the author:
Dr Rudi Jansma originally from The Netherlands and now lives in Rajasthan, India. He studied neo-tropical vegetation science and nature preservation. He worked for various environmental groups concerned with tropical ecosystems. He also studied philosophy and Sanskrit. He did intensive studies in Theosophy and Eastern and other non-occidental thought systems leading to a Ph D. He hopes and expects that the knowledge and ethics of these and other cultures will significantly contribute to the global culture of the coming ages.