Wakeful World, The Animism, Mind and the Self in Nature by Emma Restall Orr

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Wakeful World, The Animism, Mind and the Self in Nature by Emma Restall Orr

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Summary

Over the past few hundred years, animism has been dismissed as a primitive, naive and irrational perspective, irrelevant within the civilised West. In The Wakeful World, Emma Restall Orr argues that this is based on the misrepresentation, drawn in crayon, that each tree and stone has its own Christian-like immortal soul.

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Wakeful World, The Animism, Mind and the Self in Nature by Emma Restall Orr

Over the past few hundred years, animism has been dismissed as a primitive, naive and irrational perspective, irrelevant within the civilised West. In The Wakeful World, Emma Restall Orr argues that this is based on the misrepresentation, drawn in crayon, that each tree and stone has its own Christian-like immortal soul. Taking the reader on a philosophical adventure, Restall Orr explores the heritage of Western thought with precision, enthusiasm and sensitivity, considering how soul, spirit, mind and consciousness have been understood through millennia. Challenging the prevailing worldviews of materialism and dualism, she presents animism as a radically different, yet mature and coherent philosophy. Providing deep green ethics with a wholly rational metaphysical foundation, The Wakeful World is a compelling view of the nature of existence and the experience of reality, giving solid ground for the now necessary journey to a sustainable world.
This original and lively book brings back animism - a most useful range of ideas which reductivists have somewhat wildly abandoned during the last century - into focus once more just when it is badly needed to cure current confusions about mind and bodyDr Mary Midgley, Moral Philosopher Emma Restall Orr has accomplished a most difficult task: combining academic-quality research with an accessible and compelling narrative. The concepts of animism, panpsychism, and mind in nature are all explored with great dexterity and insight. The Wakeful World offers a fascinating and powerful vision of animism for the present day - a vision that promises to reconnect us to the living Earth. David Skrbina PhD, Author, Panpsychism in the West New science and ancient philosophy contribute to her careful and grounded consideration of the value of being a thoughtful animist today. Graham Harvey, Reader in Religious Studies, The Open University, Author of Animism: Respecting the Living World
Emma Restall Orr (aka Bobcat) is one of the most well-known Druids worldwide. She worked for the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids, was Joint Chief of the British Druid Order for nearly ten years, and in 2002 created the international Druid Network. She is a practising priest and teacher, celebrated for her uncompromising views on ethics, environmentalism and personal responsibility. She regularly lectures at universities and within the Pagan community, and works as a media spokesperson for Druidry. Listen to Emma's answers to BBC's The Big Questions: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00kc2l1/The_Big_Questions_Series_2_Episode_16/
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9781780994079
ISBN 10 1780994079
Title Wakeful World, The Animism, Mind and the Self in Nature
Author Emma Restall Orr
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher Collective Ink
Year published 2012-11-30
Number of pages 314
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note Unavailable