Comparative Philosophy and Religion in Times of Terror

Comparative philosophy and religion can help us to understand the violence and terror that often dominate our world. Presenting possibilities for nonviolence, peace, and true security, these creative studies are ranging from ancient Biblical, Greek, Indian, and Chinese formulations to religious and philosophical positions.

Ever since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, concerns about violence, terror, and terrorism have dominated our contemporary lifestyle. Is religion a part of the problem or the solution? Can philosophical reflection help us to understand terror, violence, and insecurity? Can comparative philosophy and religion help us to overcome ethnocentrism, dangerous stereotypes, and think about new approaches to violence and terror? The authors of these timely studies provide brilliant insight into violence and terror as formulated by Plato, Aristotle, the Buddha, Confucius, Af-Farabi, Nietzsche, Dewey, Ueshiba, Gandhi, and Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Their diverse voices consider the threat of violence from various standpoints, taking religious and philosophical discourse as the starting point of the approach. This is a hopeful volume that offers new creative insights for the future. These studies allow us to analyze the real problems of violence, terror, and insecurity in much broader and deeper ways, and they present new approaches that offer possibilities for greater nonviolence, security, and peace.