Snapshots from Home: Mind, Action and Strategy in an Uncertain World (Bristol Studies in International Theory)

Taking a broadly interdisciplinary approach, this book provides a unique angle on the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for global theory and practice. The book bridges two important debates regarding the relevance of quantum theory to the social sciences, and the pressing need for a more global international relations (IR). It brings the parallels between quantum physics and ancient Asian traditions – Daoism, Buddhism and Hinduism – to an investigation of mind, action and strategy in conditions of radical uncertainty. Engaging with both theory and real-world problems, including climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic and racial inequality, this book explores what it might mean to successfully navigate the potentials of a post-pandemic world. Front Cover Series page Snapshots from Home: Mind, Action and Strategy in an Uncertain World Copyright information Dedication Table of contents List of Figures and Tables Acknowledgments Introductions Repositioning the Apparatus Quantum social science Global international relations Cultural appropriation The apparatus Repositioning Snapshots from home Snapshots from different angles Getting to Know the Apparatus The parallel Real and non-real Mind Action Strategy Contrasts and parallels Entangled in language Science and mysticism Science and culture Conclusion Section I Impermanence Snapshot 1 Self/ No- Self Impermanence and self Turning toward the relational self Impermanence and motion Two truths The illusory self Ceasing the proliferation of concepts The collective self Conclusion Section II Complementarity and Yinyang Snapshot 3 Action/ No Action Environment and nature The Dao and nature Dao and qi Non-presence/presence Wuwei Method, mind and action Conclusion Snapshot 4 War/ No War Strategy as artscience Destruction or deference Sun Tzu’s strategy The rhythms of nature The reversal of opposites Leadership and planning The emotional dynamics of war Navigating yinyang Knowing the enemy Knowing the self Conclusion Section III Entanglement and Karma Snapshot 5 Navigating a Participatory Universe Things and actions Measuring human intra- actions Desireless action Karmayoga and desireless action Karma and fruits of action Self-reform and desireless action Seen and unseen Self/ self Conclusion Snapshot 6 What Goes Around Comes Around Things and relationships Consciousness and property Property and the appropriating I The cycle of samsāra Seen and unseen Intention- action-fruits Conclusion Endings/Beginnings At Home in the Universe Science and culture This is part of me and I am part of it Mind, action and strategy Houses and homes Seeing the way home References Index Back Cover Taking a broadly interdisciplinary approach, this book provides a unique angle on the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for global theory and practice. The book bridges two important debates regarding the relevance of quantum theory to the social sciences, and the pressing need for a more global international relations. The book brings the parallels between quantum physics and ancient Asian traditions — Daoism, Buddhism and Hinduism — to an investigation of mind, action and strategy in conditions of radical uncertainty. Engaging with both theory and real-world problems, including climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic and racial inequality, the book explores what it might mean to successfully navigate the potentials of a post-pandemic world. This book brings the parallels between quantum physics and ancient Asian traditions - Daoism and Buddhism - to an investigation of mind, action and strategy in conditions of radical uncertainty. Engaging with both theory and real-world problems, it explores what it might mean to successfully navigate the potentials of a post-pandemic world.