Agents of uncertainty [electronic resource] : mysticism, scepticism, Buddhism, art and poetry / John Danvers.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Danvers, John.

Series:

Consciousness, literature & the arts ; 31.

Consciousness, literature & the arts, 1573-2193 ; 31

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Uncertainty.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (217 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam ; New York : Rodopi, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Through an analysis of many different examples, Danvers articulates a new way of thinking about mysticism and scepticism, not as opposite poles of the philosophical spectrum, but as two fields of enquiry with overlapping aims and methods. Prompted by a deep sense of wonder at being alive, many mystics and sceptics, like the Buddha, practice disciplines of doubt in order to become free of attachment to fixed appearances, essences and viewpoints, and in doing so they find peace and equanimity. They develop ways of living with impermanence and the unexpected by letting go of adherence to dogmatic beliefs and by suspending judgement. In common with many artists and poets they act as agents of uncertainty, actively disturbing the routines and habits of day-to-day thought and behaviour in order to demonstrate how to maintain a sense of balance and spontaneity in the midst of life’s difficulties. Topics explored include: being and self as process; mysticism and language; scepticism and dogmatism; Buddhism, interdependence and emptiness; Daoism and impermanence; dialectics of doubt in art and poetry. Written in a lively and accessible style, accompanied by drawings and photographs by the author, this volume is aimed at scholars, artists, teachers, and anyone interested in philosophy, religion, art, poetry and ways of being.

Contents:

pt. 1. Mysticism

pt. 2. Mysticism, language and postmodernism

pt. 3. Scepticism

pt. 4. Buddhism and Daoism : sceptical mysticism

pt. 5. The contrarium : a dialectical seesaw

pt. 6. Living with uncertainty : art and its making

- pt. 7. A drawing together.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-283-54300-1

9786613855459

94-012-0787-9

OCLC:

806205201

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789401207874 DOI