Pointed Observations: Critical Reflections of a Citizen Philosopher on Contemporary Pseudomysticism, Alternative Therapy, David Hume, Spinoza, and Other Subjects

by Kevin R.D. Shepherd

Wide-ranging critique of alternative thought, including the workshop vogue of Esalen, the pro-drugs lobby, the transpersonalism of Stanislav Grof, the integralism of Ken Wilber, the occultism of Aleister Crowley, and the ecovillage project of the Findhorn Foundation. Aspects of religious thought are also covered, including Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and the "Sai Baba movement" of India. The ishraqi philosophical tradition of Islamic Iran gains a cameo profile. An anchor complement is afforded by a treatment of Hume and Spinoza, with some remarks on arts and crafts and the traditional workshop. Finally, the subject of ecology is analysed from a viewpoint using the reassessed Club of Rome as a point of departure. The coverage also promotes a citizen sociology advocating a firm moral stance in relation to the increase of crime and other problems. There is also a critical appendix on the Scientific and Medical Network.

446 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2005

About the author

Kevin R. D. Shepherd is a British author, born in 1950. His early interest in Indian religion developed into studies of Hazrat Babajan, Shirdi Sai Baba, Meher Baba, and other Indian saints. In 1981, he commenced a twelve-year phase of private research at Cambridge University Library, relating to the history of religions and philosophy. He is the author of 14 books, including Gurus Rediscovered (1986), Minds and Sociocultures: Zoroastrianism and the Indian Religions (1995), Investigating the Sai Baba Movement (2005), Hazrat Babajan: A Pathan Sufi of Poona (2014), and Sai Baba of Shirdi: A Biographical Investigation (2015). He maintains six websites and the blog feature Commentaries.