The Essential David Bohm

by Lee Nichol

There are few scientists of the twentieth century whose life's work has created more excitement and controversy than that of physicist David Bohm (1917-1992). For the first time in a single volume, The Essential David Bohm offers a comprehensive overview of Bohm's original works from a non-technical perspective. Including three chapters of previously unpublished material, and a forward by the Dalai Lama, each reading has been selected to highlight some aspect of the implicate order process, and to provide an introduction to one of the most provocative thinkers of our time.

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Physics, Nonfiction, Metaphysics

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2002

Reviews

[Julie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came to me like a gift -- arriving to validate and inspire me. This man was brilliant and left a legacy of wisdom for us all to harvest. It is a bit heavy in the jargon but for me well worth it. And, Lee Nichol's commentaries enrich the experience.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been reading this for months. I must read. Think. Re-read. Allow it to sink in. Reread and then realized I just got more out of a particular paragraph after the fourth reading.

[Aravind Domakonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book is an Eye-Opener only if you think out of the box and not attached to Religion or any other social Dogma.

It is a complex subject matter.....Recommended only if interested :)

[Antoninus9 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book for understanding Bohm

[Marius Croeser · Rating 5 out of 5]

an absolute must read.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

wide ranging thoughts on the implications of quantum theory, philosophy, consciousness, society and understanding one another.

“even when slavery was given up, exploitation remained the essential feature of man’s relation to man, which it still is today. once this mode was started, man was doomed to ever increasing confusion, for he had to justify his mode of life to himself. this is in fact impossible except by continual recourse to confusion. for how else can you justify the arbitrary authority of some people over others? you can pretend that god or nature ordered it, that the others are inferior, that we are superior etc. but once you start on this line, you can never allow yourself to think straight again, for fear that the truth will come out. you must glorify the “hero” who murders and plunders, while on the other hand you tell the child that he must be honest, treat people fairly and so on. just this one point is enough to destroy the minds of most children. how can you square up the emotion of love and truth with that of plundering an enemy, stealing his wealth, murdering helpless people and enslaving others?”

[Scott Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a big dose of intellectual, and this was perfect. David Bohm was an amazing scientist and philosopher. He was a pioneer in the quantum physics, yet his interests went way beyond. He believed that quantum physics revealed that the quantitative/mechanistic view of existence was fundamentally flawed, and went on to develop a philosophy that transcended the "mind-matter" duality. He developed an inclusive philosophy of "wholeness and the implicate order." His was a close friend of Krishnamurti which helped him to integrate consciousness and the mind into his philosophy. His thinking was not purely abstract, but related to social concerns and led to practical ways to have productive dialogues toward problem solving.

[Jerry Boyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I now know how a shark must feel when you turn it on its back. After a good start this book turns into hundreds of pages of can’t-we-all-just-get-along tripe. Please, dear God, save us from physicists-turned-philosophers.

If you’re interested in science try Bohm’s “Wholeness and the Implicate Order”.

For philosophy, try something with a heart and some bite, like Kopp’s “If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him!” or Pirsig’s “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”.

And one more thing that bugs me - put the period after the quote at the end of a sentence. No, Dr. Bohm, I do not wish to have a dialogue on this issue!

[Bardon Kaldian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone dissatisfied with dominant modern reductionist & materialist dull world-view, but also not wanting to denounce critical thinking & plunge into either orthodox or New-Ageish irrationality.

I don't think that Bohm succeeded in "marrying" physics & metaphysics, but, his work remains seminal and should be better known. This is the gist of him.

[Mohammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Bohm made easy' is my suggested alternative title for this amazing book.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bohm was a great man and a great physicist. And this is a great book!

[Esme Leaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

david bohm pookie

[Nicole Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm no scientist, but I'm intrigued by Bohm. I read this book and though the material seemed to float right out of my reach it changed my life for the better. I don't say that lightly. I feel like I truly better understand the universe and no just from a scientific or philosophical perspective, but from an internal/personal view.

[Stefano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spero sia "Universo, Mente, Materia" nella edizione italiana.

Un capolavoro per chi ama salire le vette della Consapevolezza, Filosofia e relativi problemi di Cognitivismo... meno pesante di quanto sembra, talmente illuminante che è inutile leggerlo tutto d'un fiato.
Vi passerebbe da parte a parte come una lama di fine cristallo...

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow read, but a must-read for anyone interested in modern and theoretical physics. I recommend reading some light, fun fiction alongside it.

[Vinicius Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!