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The Tao of Physics

The Tao of Physics

List Price: $15.95
Your Price: $10.85
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Dated physics - possibly interesting to the complete novice
Review: The book has dated physics information (the author was even unaware of contemporary developments at the time of writing). It stretches the true spirit of scientific interpretation or analysis but..If it generates interest in physics, it has produced an unanticipated but welcomed outcome.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: The first of a long line of metaphysical babble
Review: Capra's book was the pioneering volume in a long line of metaphysical babble, attempting to find solid links between the apparant otherworldliness of quantum physics and the similarly odd world of metaphysics. It's a poorly motivated parallel, and serves only to trivialize physics, not to elucidate either area. The book is a favorite of those who have trouble seeing that non-conformance with the macroscopic world doesn't automatically push the objective study of quantum physics into the subjective world of metaphysics.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: 5 star rating saved . . .
Review: Had I not read a new book on philosophy and science, I would rate this book as 5 star. This is indeed an eye-opening book in hlping us understand the nature of reality and ourselves. But the other book I just read is truly the book of the decade! While I was reading it, I asked myself why I had never thought of those possibilities the author presents in th book. The book, titled, Get Real: A Philosophical Adventure in Virtual Reality (by Philip Zhai), will definitely shake your mind like nothing else, if you think Capra's book is interesting.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: To grasp enlightenment: riding an ox in search for it!
Review: Some people get stuck on misconceptions (their own)or misunderstandings between the text and their own subjective minds (note reviewer above). The book is a wonderful telling, in a 'western' kind of way, of the simple and beautiful truth that embodies everything. It draws fascinating parallels between what we thought was the 'heartless' creed of science and ancient wisdom of the East; what deep and releasing insights follow every word! Capra (read also Web of Life!) gives all of us a new perspective to see the world, to "experience the wholeness of nature" and offers a meditative approach to "the art of living in harmony with it". Like 'the Prophecy' it adds to our ever-growing awareness of the universe and its intricate network of love, light and life; it is so undoubtedly true in the path that it follows, a simple miracle in an everyday Zen-life. Spread the word: mother Earth is transforming her consciousness and while we help we rise with the waves and view the absolute ocean-floor...the timeless, whatever the meaning, and the simple beauty. Thank you, Fritjof Capra, for your contribution!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of many paths....
Review: Recommendable to anyone looking for answers to "life"........... My life has changed..!!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Worthwhile, but only a beginning
Review: Capra's discussion of physics is interesting reading, as are the "parallels" with Eastern Mysticism (though I follow a reviewer below in evaluating the arguments as hazy). Where Capra sells his reader short is in the criticism of the western mentality.

According to Capra, the western mind is not acclimated to mystical thought of the kind described in Tao of Physics. Serious students will detect a problem with this assertion: Heraclitus, Plotinus, Augustine, John of the Cross, and even the empiricist Francis Bacon evade Capra's criticism--but one must go to the actual writings, not generalizations about them, in order to discover this. In more recent philosophy, I'm reminded of Paul Tillich's notion of "historical realism," which would provide any reader with material for a re-critique of Capra's critique.

You might notice I still give this book a 6, despite these major flaws. This is because it is an accessible introduction to a major premise in modern thought: the compulsion toward extramaterial/extratechnological worlds. My fear is that some (note reviews below) might consider it the last word on a subject that merits extensive study.

As an analogy, take the seemingly common opinion that the film "Contact" is the last word on the science-religion question.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: For young & modernTaoist : read this book !!!
Review: This book is marvellous of beauty. One of my source of enIightment is gotten from this book. Since before I was hard to believe about God, because of our rational and immanent thinking. But this book is giving a bridge between those two. But not only that, if you have the basic (knowing the theory of Taoism), it will give you an inspiration of the other perspective of reality found useful in the practical living.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good for the budding young philosophers and physicists.
Review: Capra gives very good inroductions into the worlds of Eastern mysticism and modern physics. Anyone interested in learning more about these two topics will enjoy this book merely for content. But, Capra tries to draw parallels between the two worlds using very general and obscure arguments. Religion and physics have nothing to do with each other, and in the end Capra proves this, the opposite of which he intended. All in all the general reader will enjoy this, but an educated physicist will either laugh or become too frustrated by Capra's generalities to ever finish the book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A FAQ for 'Tao of Physics'
Review: great book, physics may be a little dated, but still serves as a good intro.

fyi, there is a small 'FAQ' (list of 'frequently asked questions') relating to Tao of Physics and 'Dancing Wu Li Masters', collected from about 2 years worth of debate/discussion on the Usenet group sci.physics.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: End of Physics - as we know it!!!
Review: Dr. Capra makes it very clear that Physics as we know it has come to an end. Time is now ripe for us to be "Inward Seeking" looking at far more daunting landscape which our consciousness holds. Welcome to the New World


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