Caring Economics: Conversations on Altruism and Compassion, Between Scientists, Economists, and the Dalai Lama

by Tania Singer, Matthieu Ricard (Editor), Dalai Lama XIV (Foreword)

A COLLECTION OF INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED SCIENTISTS AND ECONOMISTS IN DIALOGUE WITH HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA, ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR A MORE ALTRUISTIC ECONOMY

Can the hyperambitious, bottom-line-driven practices of the global economy incorporate compassion into the pursuit of wealth? Or is economics driven solely by materialism and self-interest? In Caring Economics , experts consider these questions alongside the Dalai Lama in a wide-ranging, scientific-based discussion on economics and altruism.
Begun in 1987, the Mind and Life Institute arose out of a series of conferences held with the Dalai Lama and a range of scientists that sought to form a connection between the empiricism of contemporary scientific inquiry and the contemplative, compassion-based practices of Buddhism. Caring Economics is based on a conference held by the Mind and Life Institute in Zurich in which experts from all over the world gathered to discuss the possibility of having a global economy focused on compassion and altruism. Each chapter consists of a presentation by an expert in the field, followed by a discussion with the Dalai Lama in which he offers his response and his own unique insights on the subject.
In this provocative and inspiring book, learn how wealth doesn't need to be selfish, how in fact, empathy and compassion may be the path to a healthier world economy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Economics, Buddhism, Philosophy, Business

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2015

About the author

Tania has been the Director of the Department of Social Neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig since 2010. After receiving her Ph.D. in Psychology in 2000 at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, she became a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the same institution and later at the Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience as well as at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience in London. In 2006, she went to the University of Zurich to accept a position as Assistant Professor and later as Inaugural Chair of Social Neuroscience and Neuroeconomics and Co-Director of the Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research. Her research focus is on the foundations of human social behavior and the neuronal, developmental, and hormonal mechanisms underlying social cognition and emotions (e. g, empathy, compassion, and fairness).

Moreover, she investigates the psychological and neuroscientific effects of compassion and meditation training, and other mental training techniques. Prof. Singer has published her research work in many renowned journals (e.g., Science, Nature) and she is the Principal Investigator of the ReSource project. Her eBook Compassion: Bridging Practice and Science has just been published and can be downloaded free of charge. It summarizes the results of the science of compassion, but also describes training programs and practical experiences.

Tania Singer also examines how biology and psychology can inform economic decision-making in addressing global problems also by presenting her ideas of a caring economics at the World Economic Forum or the Global Economic Symposium. In her function of Board Member of the Mind and Life Institute (situated in Hadley, USA) she has hosted the Mind and Life Institute XX Conference "Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems" with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Zurich in 2010, and is currently also a Member in the Mind and Life Europe Committee.

- http://www.caring-economics.org/the-t...

Reviews

[Aja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Economics is not necessarily my favorite subject, however, I was barely able to put this book down once I opened it. The scientists and experts, as well as the Dalai Lama, (who always has something enlightening to say), present research and ideas that may surprise many people, and their beliefs on cultivating compassion and using it to improve the economy and the standard of life are really quite interesting, and they really do make a lot of sense. It explains how society really works and why it is so corrupt, but also how we can use compassion to fix it. I am glad to have had the chance to read this because it gave me hope for the future of society.
I received this book for free through a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Aung Myo Thein · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the book was based on a conference, it was not able to provide detailed findings on a small scope of topic. Instead, it touched the surface on the science and economics of Altruism. The first part of the book talked about the science, such as how our brain works, and its findings on altruism which I find interesting and boring at the same time. The second part of the book covers the economical experiments conducted to study human behavior and altruism. The final part covers the real life example of implementing altruism into businesses, and talk about how businesses and management have embraced altruism into their operations. As an economic student who learned that everyone is self-interested and that firms' goals are profit maximization, this book was able to make me see economics in a new way. I recommend people to pick up this book if they want a casual read on economics and science.

[Jonty White · Rating 4 out of 5]

more a 3.5 but like i rate the conf heavy. some parts a lot more interesting than others

would ideally like a deeper economic dive but still i rly liked the microfinance and barefoot college chapters

bunker a sick name also

[Cramley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book's take on the economy and it tied in nicely with the reading I had just completed about the Dahli Lama.

[S S]

Buy less = more happiness

[Venky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A battery of world renowned scholars spanning the realms of Economics, Psychology, Philosophy, Neuroscience, Contemplative Science and business assembled at Zurich in April 2010 for a conference that was unique in both content and context. Imaginatively titled "Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems", the conference was hosted under the auspices of the Mind and Life Institute. The overarching objective and structure of the conference was a series of inter disciplinary dialogues engaged in by the experts with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This juxtaposition of Science and Spirituality resulted in the discussion of innovative and ingenious topics such as Altruistic Sanctions/Altruistic Punishment, Pro-Social Behaviour, the linkage between Egoism and Altruism, Neural Bases of Compassion, Buddhist Economics in a materialistic world, Micro-finance and Women, Compassionate Leadership etc.

The pantheon of speakers included the likes of experimental social psychologist David Bateson; John Dunne, an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at Emory University; Ernst Fehr, a professor of micro-economics and experimental economics and Chairman of the Department of Economics at the University of Zurich; and Matthieu Ricard, a French Buddhist Monk residing at Schechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery in Nepal. This conglomeration of distinguished scholars deliberated on meaningful measures that could be instituted in a practical, cost effective and result oriented manner to make our Planet a better place to live in. The Dalai Lama not only attended each and every session but also freely espoused and articulated many of his views on the topics being discussed and debated upon.
"Caring Economics" is a thought provoking, engaging and benevolent collection of thoughts and words that has as its edifice the eradication of physical and mental pain and the enhancing the quality of life. Quality of life here is not representative of furthering the material aspirations and ambitions of an insatiable population, but preventing the exacerbated evils that arise from a profusion of unequal distribution of wealth and welfare. However the talks do not detract from the necessity of possessing basic material comforts that are inevitable to ensure an acceptable standard of living. The book comes as a refreshing respite that offers a sensible and implementable solution to escape the clutches of the mundane vices plaguing us as we go about performing our daily chores. Caring Economics - Spreading contagious encouragement and an optimistic outlook about our future.

[Darren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can altruism and compassion function in the world of business in today’s interconnected world and global economy? This book takes a somewhat specialist retrospective look at this question.

Based on the 2010 “Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems” conference (why wait so long?) His Holiness the Dalai Lama discussed this weighty subject with philosophers, scientists, economists and other interested parties. This book is the edited report of the event.

In some ways this report felt as if it is searching for its identity and meaning for anybody who was not at the conference. The subjects raised are interesting and thought provoking, yet the book appears to be “singing to the converted”. The conference could have been the basis for a more interlinked, focussed, outwardly accessible book. In its current guise, it just doesn’t seem that inspirational and requires perhaps a little too much effort to go through. This is a shame.

Quite why it took several years for this book to appear after the conference is unclear. It just makes things seem even more remote and less relevant. It would be wrong to characterise this book as being bad, but its relevance and impact could have been potentially much greater if it had been published a few years previously.

Caring Economics, edited by Tania Singer & Matthieu Ricard and published by Macmillan-Picador. ISBN 9781250064127. 240 pages. YYY

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a first read. The essays can be dry at times but the ensuing conversations are thought provoking and interesting. The back and forth presents philosophical ideas and various viewpoints. It was also nice to read about the Buddhist perspective of the scientific studies. A good read for anyone with an interest in altruism or social welfare.

[Danny Brzozowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Combines science, economics, and ethics in a series of lectures to better understand human behavior and our social structures. The final section makes recommendations for ethical investing and promoting economic growth in socially responsible ways. A practical and novel approach to economics.

[Blaine Morrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scratches the surface, but the conversations are fascinating.

[Joey Kee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very technical book. Talks about the topics discussed during the conference.

[Jerrid Kruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much about economics as about empathy, altruism, and compassion. Many of the ideas in our current economic climate are sorely needed. The main question with which the contributors wrestle is how to create a system that creates the most happiness. I found altruistic punishment to be an interesting aspect of the book.