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What is Reality?
Ervin Laszlo's tour de force, What is Reality?, is the product of a half-century of deep contemplation and cutting-edge scholarship. Addressing many of the paradoxes that have confounded modern science over the years, it offers nothing less than a new paradigm of reality, one in which the cosmos is a seamless whole, informed by a single, coherent consciousness manifest in us all. Bringing together science, philosophy, and metaphysics, Laszlo takes aim at accepted wisdom, such as the dichotomies of mind and body, spirit and matter, being and nonbeing, to show how we are all part of an infinite cycle of existence unfolding in spacetime and beyond.
Augmented by insightful commentary from a dozen scholars and thinkers, along with a foreword by Deepak Chopra and an introduction by Stanislav Grof, What is Reality? offers a fresh and liberating understanding of the meaning and purpose of existence.
Augmented by insightful commentary from a dozen scholars and thinkers, along with a foreword by Deepak Chopra and an introduction by Stanislav Grof, What is Reality? offers a fresh and liberating understanding of the meaning and purpose of existence.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published October 25, 2016
About the author
Ervin Laszlo
226 books235 followersErvin Laszlo is a systems philosopher, integral theorist, and classical pianist. Twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, he has authored more than 70 books, which have been translated into nineteen languages, and has published in excess of four hundred articles and research papers, including six volumes of piano recordings.
Dr. Laszlo is generally recognized as the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory, and serves as the founder-director of the General Evolution Research Group and as past president of the International Society for the Systems Sciences. He is also the recipient of the highest degree in philosophy and human sciences from the Sorbonne, the University of Paris, as well as of the coveted Artist Diploma of the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest. Additional prizes and awards include four honorary doctorates.
His appointments have included research grants at Yale and Princeton Universities, professorships for philosophy, systems sciences, and future sciences at the Universities of Houston, Portland State, and Indiana, as well as Northwestern University and the State University of New York. His career also included guest professorships at various universities in Europe and the Far East. In addition, he worked as program director for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). In 1999 he was was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Canadian International Institute of Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics.
For many years he has served as president of the Club of Budapest, which he founded. He is an advisor to the UNESCO Director General, ambassador of the International Delphic Council, member of both the International Academy of Science, World Academy of Arts and Science, and the International Academy of Philosophy.
Dr. Laszlo is generally recognized as the founder of systems philosophy and general evolution theory, and serves as the founder-director of the General Evolution Research Group and as past president of the International Society for the Systems Sciences. He is also the recipient of the highest degree in philosophy and human sciences from the Sorbonne, the University of Paris, as well as of the coveted Artist Diploma of the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest. Additional prizes and awards include four honorary doctorates.
His appointments have included research grants at Yale and Princeton Universities, professorships for philosophy, systems sciences, and future sciences at the Universities of Houston, Portland State, and Indiana, as well as Northwestern University and the State University of New York. His career also included guest professorships at various universities in Europe and the Far East. In addition, he worked as program director for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). In 1999 he was was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Canadian International Institute of Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics.
For many years he has served as president of the Club of Budapest, which he founded. He is an advisor to the UNESCO Director General, ambassador of the International Delphic Council, member of both the International Academy of Science, World Academy of Arts and Science, and the International Academy of Philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 4, 2023
I consider myself a rather down-to-earth, rational man who likes to rely on facts and verified information, preferably scientifically substantiated. Esoteric views are lost on me, although I am sensitive to religions as languages or instruments for dealing with parts of reality that you cannot grasp with a purely rational or scientific approach. So, this book poses a bit of a problem for me.
The chapters, written by the Hungarian physicist Ervin Laszlo himself, initially appealed to me, at least in part. His "vibration theory" contains elements that elucidate a number of problems that still puzzle classical science (such as: what came before the Big Bang? , or the contradictory phenomena in quantum physics). And his view on consciousness sure allows for a more holistic approach, in line with systems thinking, chaos theory and the thinking of Gregory Bateson. It's all very abstract, I agree, but certainly intriguing and stimulating further reflection. But then, the moment Laszlo started writing about the deep dimension of reality, about cosmic consciousness, and linked all this to para-normal phenomena such as “near death experiences, out-of-body experiences, instrumental transcommunication”, etc., I had to swallow. That's where my sceptical self immediately surfaced.
And then Laszlo’s text is followed by about 15 contributions from others, all "experts" I had never heard of, who praise the views of Laszlo extensively, adding their own thoughts in line with his theory. What they have in common is that they almost all advocate a paradigm shift (away from classical science, of course). Some of these contributions are interesting additions and deepenings. But it strikes me that the majority of these experts put forward their own theories in a very affirmative way, whereas Laszlo himself is much more careful and prudent. And with a number of contributions that go on the para-normal/esoteric tour, I dropped out completely, especially with those that advocate the intake of psychedelics in order to gain a more correct access to reality. And frankly, I also find the recurring claim that numerous borderland experiences (such as near death and others) have now been scientifically verified, not very convincing.
I don't know, maybe I'm too skeptical. Still, I don't want to just sweep everything off the table as nonsense. I am all too aware of the limits and one-sidedness of classical science, but it seems to me that there is still a very long way to go to that new paradigm that Laszlo and others are now so self-evidently proposing. Rating 2.5 stars.
The chapters, written by the Hungarian physicist Ervin Laszlo himself, initially appealed to me, at least in part. His "vibration theory" contains elements that elucidate a number of problems that still puzzle classical science (such as: what came before the Big Bang? , or the contradictory phenomena in quantum physics). And his view on consciousness sure allows for a more holistic approach, in line with systems thinking, chaos theory and the thinking of Gregory Bateson. It's all very abstract, I agree, but certainly intriguing and stimulating further reflection. But then, the moment Laszlo started writing about the deep dimension of reality, about cosmic consciousness, and linked all this to para-normal phenomena such as “near death experiences, out-of-body experiences, instrumental transcommunication”, etc., I had to swallow. That's where my sceptical self immediately surfaced.
And then Laszlo’s text is followed by about 15 contributions from others, all "experts" I had never heard of, who praise the views of Laszlo extensively, adding their own thoughts in line with his theory. What they have in common is that they almost all advocate a paradigm shift (away from classical science, of course). Some of these contributions are interesting additions and deepenings. But it strikes me that the majority of these experts put forward their own theories in a very affirmative way, whereas Laszlo himself is much more careful and prudent. And with a number of contributions that go on the para-normal/esoteric tour, I dropped out completely, especially with those that advocate the intake of psychedelics in order to gain a more correct access to reality. And frankly, I also find the recurring claim that numerous borderland experiences (such as near death and others) have now been scientifically verified, not very convincing.
I don't know, maybe I'm too skeptical. Still, I don't want to just sweep everything off the table as nonsense. I am all too aware of the limits and one-sidedness of classical science, but it seems to me that there is still a very long way to go to that new paradigm that Laszlo and others are now so self-evidently proposing. Rating 2.5 stars.
February 11, 2018
Despite the effusive praises of Laszlo's "map" by numerous chapter authors, in fact there really is (spoiler alert) no map at all. This is yet another book, similar to several of his earlier books, in which Laszlo delves into some aspects of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory in order to prove his scientific bona fides, but he provides no map, no model, and no empirical evidence for pretty much anything. The fairly self-serving support chapters from authors who are Taoists, Buhddists, users of mind-expanding drugs, mystics, and even a scientist are nothing more than attempts to use Laszlo's point of view as "scientific" support for their own views and agendas. The dynamic here is for Laszlo to use the views of chapter authors to support his view, and for the authors to use Laszlo's view (masquerading as empirical science) to support theirs. The book is not uninteresting. It is just disingenuous, and provides nothing new relative to earlier books he has written/edited.
Rather than a "map" Laszlo provides a series of disconnected dots, and hopes that the reader will use the arguments/opinions of chapter authors to connect the dots. But that is not possible. The book comes off much more as a series of infomercials rather than a book truly grounded in science. This is true of his earlier books as well. What is most disturbing, however, is that there is some solid science out there that is, in fact, at least broadly consistent with his overarching theme that Consciousness is the fundamental stuff of reality rather than an emergent property. Neither Laszlo nor his authors ever site Donald D. Hoffman's work on conscious agents. Hoffman has actually published a real scientific model. And though there is no empirical proof of his model, yet, at least he shows how his model can mathematically lead to the wave function. Hoffman begins with the premise that conscious agents are fundamental to reality, but actually does have a "map" and a model.
My recommendation:read Hoffman's published scientific articles rather than Laszlo's book.
Rather than a "map" Laszlo provides a series of disconnected dots, and hopes that the reader will use the arguments/opinions of chapter authors to connect the dots. But that is not possible. The book comes off much more as a series of infomercials rather than a book truly grounded in science. This is true of his earlier books as well. What is most disturbing, however, is that there is some solid science out there that is, in fact, at least broadly consistent with his overarching theme that Consciousness is the fundamental stuff of reality rather than an emergent property. Neither Laszlo nor his authors ever site Donald D. Hoffman's work on conscious agents. Hoffman has actually published a real scientific model. And though there is no empirical proof of his model, yet, at least he shows how his model can mathematically lead to the wave function. Hoffman begins with the premise that conscious agents are fundamental to reality, but actually does have a "map" and a model.
My recommendation:read Hoffman's published scientific articles rather than Laszlo's book.
January 11, 2018
I adore Laszlo's work and I like to dream about this world he builds. His explanations and writing is coherent, interesting, and seems almost plausible (can't disprove it!). However I give this work 3 stars not for laszlo but for the short essays written by others that are included in the book. Some of them just take space to revere laszlo, repeat the same point several times, or say nothing of interest whatsoever. It was difficult to get through some of them. Perhaps some people might want to read everything just to understand the whole theory as it is presented but unless you've been living under a rock, you probably won't need to. (To be honest there is a physicist whose essay is not dull but very dense to read through. He's the best of the bunch though.)
December 3, 2016
One of the best books I've read this year. Clear and coherent presentation of the consciousness-based paradigm, uniting just enough perspectives for that.
Made some parts of my thinking more whole and connected with a few people exploring the same territory.
Made some parts of my thinking more whole and connected with a few people exploring the same territory.
January 3, 2019
This book is an exercise in irony. Due in part to surprisingly poor editing, it is the most disjointed compilation of interesting, and I believe valid, ideas about a 'connected Universe' and the ground state of unified Consciousness that I've read. Seems to me that one would be better served to read the actual works of the contributors, many of whom I've read and respect, then spend time each day in some form of meditation in order to process and integrate the in-formation. The content of this book deserves better treatment than this presentation.
July 2, 2019
Whew. Mind sufficiently blown.
The essence of this book is that our conscious/consciousness survives beyond our physical state. That our conscious/consciousness doesn't end when our brains cease to function. (death) Our brains house our thoughts, awareness, our presence in the here and now. (i.e. local) Using a few examples of near death experiences, (NDEs) and other intriguing/mystifying matters, many contributors take these examples of people whose conscious/consciousness "survived" after they were clinically dead, and came back to share what they experienced. These incidents are scrubbed up against scientific studies to explore the phenomena and what it means.
The essence is our mind, (conscious/consciousness) survives beyond our "local" state (human body/brain) to a "non-local" existence. Through various input from other scientists, theorists, and philosophers, this is a scientific rationale that in many ways replicates what all religions teach, that we will all become one with a supreme being (God, Allah, The One, i.e., whichever way your beliefs direct you) and explains the age old question of "why are we here?"
The essence of this book is that our conscious/consciousness survives beyond our physical state. That our conscious/consciousness doesn't end when our brains cease to function. (death) Our brains house our thoughts, awareness, our presence in the here and now. (i.e. local) Using a few examples of near death experiences, (NDEs) and other intriguing/mystifying matters, many contributors take these examples of people whose conscious/consciousness "survived" after they were clinically dead, and came back to share what they experienced. These incidents are scrubbed up against scientific studies to explore the phenomena and what it means.
The essence is our mind, (conscious/consciousness) survives beyond our "local" state (human body/brain) to a "non-local" existence. Through various input from other scientists, theorists, and philosophers, this is a scientific rationale that in many ways replicates what all religions teach, that we will all become one with a supreme being (God, Allah, The One, i.e., whichever way your beliefs direct you) and explains the age old question of "why are we here?"
April 23, 2021
From the beginning I had to read with a Dictionary close at hand. Some words and scientific terms I sought help from the innernet. It was hard to read through each chapter, but I made it through slowly. When I finished the book I could say honestrly that there were parts I had had to reread a couple of times, and I still could not be sure of what meaning I should take from what I read. I knowq that I will reread the book at least once, maybe more so.
I suggest a good dictionary if you are going to read this work, or the use of the innernet. It is a remarkable book and well worth reading Though I can't say I really understand the scientific terms and some I think is beyond my intelligence.
I don't want to put people off from trying to read this fasinating work, but I'm going to read his other work on consciousness.
I suggest a good dictionary if you are going to read this work, or the use of the innernet. It is a remarkable book and well worth reading Though I can't say I really understand the scientific terms and some I think is beyond my intelligence.
I don't want to put people off from trying to read this fasinating work, but I'm going to read his other work on consciousness.
June 5, 2023
mind expanding
I haven’t read any of Laslows work before but I have become familiar with Stan Grofs work and others in this book. Having had many mind expanding spiritual journeys I would say that everything in this book is on point.
The science (not being a scientist) was very mind blowing and the uplifting portions of the book were a lovely surprise. It speaks to and of our time. Right now, in this consciousness expanding universe. If you are searching for meaning, this is the book for you.
I haven’t read any of Laslows work before but I have become familiar with Stan Grofs work and others in this book. Having had many mind expanding spiritual journeys I would say that everything in this book is on point.
The science (not being a scientist) was very mind blowing and the uplifting portions of the book were a lovely surprise. It speaks to and of our time. Right now, in this consciousness expanding universe. If you are searching for meaning, this is the book for you.
September 27, 2017
Heavy lifting, but makes a lot of sense. By the end I have a decent handle on what he said.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews