Middle Way Philosophy 3: The Integration of Meaning

by Robert M. Ellis

This third volume of the Middle Way Philosophy series applies the revolutionary view, taken from cognitive science, that meaning is found in our bodies rather than in a relationship between language and reality. The cognitive meaning found in dictionaries and the emotive 'meaning of life' cannot be separated. This approach reveals the basic error of the metaphysical views that depend on absolute cognitive meaning. It also provides the basis for an account of how we can integrate meaning. Each new time we connect an experience to a symbol we extend meaning in a way that gives us more resources to develop more adequate beliefs. The practice of integrating meaning can be promoted by the arts, meditation and focusing, and can also involve working to resolve archetypes. Middle Way Philosophy was first developed by Robert M Ellis in a Ph.D. thesis, and he has now founded the Middle Way Society for the development and practice of the Middle Way beyond religious tradition.

316 pages, Paperback

First published December 11, 2013

About the author

Robert M Ellis is the author of more than 20 books on Middle Way Philosophy, which is a practical philosophy focused on making the most of our experience in all our judgements. Initially inspired by the Buddha's Middle Way and Buddhist practice, he completed a Ph.D. on the Middle Way in 2001 that marked the beginning of his work exploring the universal Middle Way in relation to Western philosophy, psychology, systems, embodiment, and a range of other disciplines. He is now on the second wave of development of Middle Way Philosophy, in a new series being published by Equinox, beginning with 'Absolutization' (2022) and 'The Five Principles of the Middle Way'. (2023) He has also published books about the Middle Way in relation to Buddhism, Christianity, and Jungian archetypes, as well as the introductory book 'Migglism' (2014), the short argument 'Buddhism and God' (2021), parable fiction, and poetry. He now lives in Wales, where he runs a retreat centre and is cultivating a forest garden.

Reviews

[Norma Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this the third volume of four in the series Middle Way Philosophy the philosopher Robert Ellis provides us with a theory that demonstrates that in his view meaning is the interdependence of cognitive and emotional forms, he sets out to show that meaning of these two kinds is not to be viewed as separate from each other, while acknowledging that one can have more weight than another. His work refers to the theories of writers like Iain McGilchrist and George Lakoff. The body sees patterns of meaning which combine experience and feeling from an early age in our development, we think in terms of metaphor and symbols in our everyday language. My understanding was helped by many examples. Fragmentation of meaning is also discussed, when symbols are not understood. An exciting and serious read for those interested in the working of the mind and how meaning can be incrementally integrated to reduce conflict in the context of a Middle Way approach to living.