A Philosophy of Emptiness

By: Gay Watson

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Paperback | 1 January 2014

At a Glance

Paperback
206 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
20.0 x 12.0 x 1.7

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Listening to a performance of John Cage's 4'33", you hear, at first, nothing. As the composition continues you hear, once again, nothing. Yet on listening more closely, something is heard: the coughs of the audience, the shuffling of paper, gentle muttering. What had seemed to be emptiness is instead something more significant, a meditation on the sounds present even within silence. In A Philosophy of Emptiness, Gay Watson reclaims emptiness as a positive, empowering state, an antidote to the obsession with substance and foundation. Watson offers an alternative view of emptiness. Via a tour of early and non-Western philosophy she uncovers its rich history, taking us from Buddhism, Taoism and religious mysticism to the contemporary world of philosophy, science and art practice. Watson shows that the twentieth century has seen the resurgence of emptiness, and she offers reasons why such an apparently unappealing concept might have attracted modern musicians, artists and scientists, as well as pre-eminent thinkers throughout the ages. The book probes the idea of how a life without transcendence might be lived, and why one might choose this. It links these concepts to modern ideas of the mind, and offers an intriguing take on emptiness that will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of thought.

Industry Reviews

'Gay Watson's marvelous book provides the first in-depth study of the concept of emptiness as it is used in contexts as diverse as ancient Buddhist philosophy and the practice of contemporary art. A Philosophy of Emptiness is a penetrating inquiry into the liberating and challenging implications of an idea whose time may now be upon us.' - Stephen Batchelor, author of Confession of a Buddhist Atheist 'This insightful and fascinating dive into emptiness stimulates on every page.' - Wayne McGregor, resident choreographer, Royal Ballet 'Overflowing with clarity, insight, dry humour, and sheer verve in its explorations of reality and our consciousness ... this wide-ranging examination of existence and experience is both contemporary and likely to become a classic.' - Rick Hanson, author of Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom 'Gay Watson makes us think profoundly about that challenge of action and inaction, in the arts and in life ... a most stimulating reflection on the pressures of our time, which will give everyone pause for thought.' - Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director, Barbican Centre

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