Oneworld Publications
27 books
Muslim Devotions presents a fascinating collection of prayers and devotional writings in contemporary popular worship in the Muslim world, from Egypt and the Sudan to Pakistan, the Lebanon and Iran. Drawing widely on sources that represent the spiritual influence of Islamic leaders down the centuries, Muslim Devotions traces and analyses the evolution of Islamic theological thought from the early saints and mystics to the present day.From devotions attributed to ...
Kevin Hart steers a steady course through the pitfalls and perplexities of post-modernism, revealing the true ‘meaning’ (if such a thing exists) of this elusive concept. The reader will encounter the key thinkers, including Irigaray, Foucault, Baudrilland and Derrida as well as the key themes-the self, the fragmentary and the imaginary-and the key terms, including ‘grand narratives’, ‘poststructuralism’, and the ‘seductive play of surfaces’.
Answering all the key questions, addressing all the major issues, this is an indispensable introduction to the science that is changing our world. Outlining the way in which our genetic structure works, it provides all the information necessary for readers to form their own opinions on such important topics as gene therapy, genetic engineering, and genetically modified food. Accessibly written, but based on expert knowledge and contemporary research, this book ...
How do you know that you really picked up this book and didn’t just dream that you did? Is the mind nothing more than the brain? Could a computer ever be conscious? In this lively and accessible introduction to the philosophy of mind, Edward Feser tackles these and other questions, giving clear explanations of all the most important theories, from the classic accounts of Descartes and Aquinas to the latest developments in the literature on computing and ...
Who are al-Qaeda and what do they want? Is religious terrorism a new phenomenon? What drives someone to become a suicide bomber? Author and UN Security advisor Leonard Weinberg Answers these and other questions, looking at terrorism as a tactic from the purges of the French Revolution to the death squads of Colombia. Drawing on the lessons of the past to confront the challenges of the present, he asks: can a government commit acts of terror? What happens when the ...
Artificial Intelligence evokes starting visions of a robot-driven future, providing inspiration for writers, directors and artists from Frank L. Baum to Arthur C. Clarke. But what is Artificial intelligence, and what can it really do? This incisive new introduction to today’s hottest topic debunks the myths surrounding AI to reveal the true Potential-and very real limitations-of this futuristic science. Author Blay Whitby steers a steady course thought the ...
This unique introduction takes a careful look at the role of religion and the spiritual dimension in the real world. Conversational in tone, but built on a solid foundation of knowledge, it covers an enormous range of issues in a succinct and straightforward style, from the origins of religious belief to the future of religion in today’s spiritual landscape. Drawing on history, theology, sociology, philosophy and the words of great thinkers old and new, this ...
From his many births to his deathbed deeds, this authoritative biography unites the Buddha of history with the Buddha of legend in a bid to reveal the lasting spiritual relevance at the heart of the Buddhist tradition. Acclaimed scholar John S. Strong examines not only the historical facts, but also the supernatural accounts that surround this great religious figures, uncovering the roots of many Buddhist beliefs and practices. Accompanied by helpful charts and ...
Why do young women prefer older men? And what makes us feel guilty about lying? In this concise and engaging introduction to evolutionary psychology, the authors demonstrate how this cutting-edge new science might hold the answers to the puzzles behind our motivations and desires. With penetrating insights into a wide range of topics they consider: the rules of attraction-what makes men and women desirable to each other? A ‘gene for God’-could religion be a ...
Every aspect of the anti-capitalist world is covered in this helpful guide, from WOMBLES to Zapatistas, NGOs to environmentalism, Paris 1968 to Seattle, and beyond. Picking up where Naomi Klein left of, this is not so much a manifesto as a roadmap, which captures the essence of the movement, and also articulates a range of possibilities for future alternatives to the corporate domination of our planet.
Why do young women prefer older men? And what makes us feel guilty about lying? In this concise and engaging introduction to evolutionary psychology, the authors demonstrate how this cutting-edge new science might hold the answers to the puzzles behind our motivations and desires. With penetrating insights into a wide range of topics they consider: the rules of attraction-what makes men and women desirable to each other? A ‘gene for God’-could religion be a ...
From the works of the Greek philosophers to the Postmodernist theories of Jacques Derrida and Richard Rorty, this authoritative survey encompasses over two thousand years of interaction between philosophical and religious thought. Exploring the various ways in which philosophy can relate to the monotheistic religion, Max Charlesworth tracks five key approaches in a carefully structured and accessible manner. Following a chronological pattern, these five chapters ...
Why do young women prefer older men? And what makes us feel guilty about lying? In this concise and engaging introduction to evolutionary psychology, the authors demonstrate how this cutting-edge new science might hold the answers to the puzzles behind our motivations and desires. With penetrating insights into a wide range of topics they consider: the rules of attraction-what makes men and women desirable to each other? A ‘gene for God’-could religion be a ...
Kenneth Cragg describes his authoritative book The Event of the Qur’an as "an exercise in religious enquiry and in trans-religious openness of the heart… in the common context of our single humanity and our separate histories." The question "what happens in the Qur'an?" holds profound historical fascination as well as being a matter of great religious sensitivity to all readers, regardless of background. The separate events of Islamic ...
Loved by the free-spirited, hated by his orthdox peers; a stranger in both his homeland and the West: the complexities and contradictions surrounding the life of Omar Khayyam are reconstructed for the first time in this authoritative new book. Engagingly written, this comprehensive study draws on a host of sources, placing Khayyam within the context of his own time, and exploring, through his philosophy and poetry, this lifelong preoccupation with such timeless ...
From the classical to the contemporary, this is a comprehensive, systematic and accessible encyclopedia of the phenomenon known as 'Hinduism'. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of the religion and its texts, Klostermaier presents the theoretical and practical aspects of Hinduism that render this most ancient of religions a living faith. The encyclopedia features the major systems of Hindu thought, covers figures from Manu to Gandhi and includes locations from ...
As new democracies struggle for survival in Afghanistan and elsewhere, this timely work confronts the challenges facing modern democracy and asks: is it still worth fighting for? Opening with the history of an idea dating back to Ancient Greece, this clear and accessible guide not only explains the theory behind democracy, but also considers its practical application, addressing such issues at: corporate might: does big business undermine the democratic process? ...
From bodhi to the true meaning of Zen, the rich diversity of the Buddhist tradition is captured succinctly within this concise yet comprehensive new encyclopedia. Covering the teaching of the early masters to the growth of the tradition in the West, over 900 entries supply information on the key doctrines, practices and figures that constitute this historic movement. Throughout, John Powers balances concision with scholarship, explaining complex ideas in a manner ...
In this clear and accessible introduction to Hinduism, Klaus K. Klostermaier offers a unique overview of a tradition that spans thousands of years. Explaining the origins, beliefs, scriptures and philosophies of this ancient religion, Klostermaier captures the immense diversity of Hinduism in a manner that is both succinct and informative. Covering everything from gods, goddesses and the Bhagavadgita to philosophy and politics, this authoritative guide features ...
From the birth of the Prophet Muhammad to the growth of Islam in the United States, this comprehensive yet concise encyclopedia captures the full scope of the Muslim faith in an accessible and direct manner. Containing over 1000 entries, with each definition presented in clear and straightforward language, this indispensable encyclopedia offers objective coverage of all the different branches and movements within Islam, including the Sunni, Shii, and Sufi ...
From its birth among the nomadic peoples of seventh-century Arabia to its present status as one of the great religions of the world, this is a concise and authoritative examination of the development of Islam. William Montgomery Watt, one of the most highly regarded scholars in the field, combines history theology and politics to provide a succinct study of all aspects of the origin, history and teachings of Islam, including: the life and teachings of Muhammad, ...
The compelling history of the Hindu tradition is captured succinctly by Klaus K.Klostermaier in this new survey of a rich and ancient religion. In a style both accessible and erudite, this comprehensive study of Hindu history moves swiftly but thoroughly through the ages, from the early emergence of the Vedic tradition to development sin twentieth-century Hinduism. A wealth of factual information is finely balanced with illuminating discussion of such problematic ...
The Sufi tradition, commonly associated with the Whirling Dervishes and the profoundly beautiful poetry of the great mystic, Rumi, is introduced here is a comprehensive and authoritative guide. William C. Chittick, the leading scholar in this field, offers a compelling insight into the origins, context, and key themes of this fascinating movement. After a general overview of the tradition, he draws upon the words of some of the greatest Sufi writers- ...
Liah Greenfeld's books on nationalism, instigated a major paradigm shift and almost instantly made her the world's leading authority on the subject. With wide-ranging implications across the breadth of the humanities, she is renowned for arguing that nationalism is the main cultural foundation of modern society and its economy. In Nationalism and the Mind, the only published collection of Greenfeld's essays in English, the reader can trace the ...