Choose Life: A Dialogue

by Arnold J. Toynbee

Arnold J Toynbee was a historian whose 12-volume A Study of History had a huge impact on the thinking of his day. This epic, multi-volume work offered a grand synthesis of world history from the global perspective of the rise and fall of civilizations, rather than concentrating on the history of nation-states or of ethnic groups. For Time magazine Toynbee was 'an international sage' and certainly in the same bracket as 'Einstein, Schweitzer or Bertrand Russell'. Daisaku Ikeda is a figure of global stature, the spiritual leader of a worldwide lay Buddhist organisation devoted to the promotion of education, culture and peace. Between 1971 and 1974 Toynbee and Ikeda discussed many of the vital issues which confronted their societies in the early 1970s, all of which remain current and significant. Indeed, topics such as the problems of pollution, dwindling natural resources, conflict and war, the role of religion, and population growth, are even more pressing than they were thirty years ago. In this volume - which still reads as freshly as it did when it was first published, and which is now reissued for a new generation of readers - the inspiring challenge issued by both men is framed as will humankind choose to salvage its destiny by a revolution in thinking and morals? Or will disaster ensue if it pursues its present course towards self-destruction and the despoliation of the environment? While recognising that our survival is threatened by the imbalance between human immaturity and technological achievement, the optimistic message of this classic Dialogue is that man-made evils have a man-made cure.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion

375 pages, Hardcover

First published November 18, 1976

About the author

Not the same as Arnold Toynbee, economist and nephew of Arnold Joseph Toynbee

British educator Arnold Joseph Toynbee noted cyclical patterns in the growth and decline of civilizations for his 12-volume Study of History (1934-1961).

He went to Winchester college and Balliol college, Oxford.

During both world wars, he worked for the foreign office. He additionally published Nationality and the War (1915), The Armenian Atrocities: The Murder of a Nation (1915), The German Terror in France: An Historical Record (1917), and Turkey, a Past and a Future (1917). He attended the peace conference of Paris in 1919 as a delegate.

From 1919 to 1924, Arnold J. Toynbee served as professor of modern Greek and Byzantine at King's college, London. From 1925, Oxford University Press published The Survey of International Affairs under the auspices of the royal institute of international affairs, and Toynbee, professor, oversaw the publication. From 1925, Toynbee served as research professor and director at the royal institute of international affairs. He published The Conduct of British Empire Foreign Relations since the Peace Settlement (1928).

His first marriage to Rosalind Murray produced three sons and ended in divorce in 1946. Toynbee, professor, then married Veronica M. Boulter, his research assistant. He published Civilization on Trial (1948).

Toynbee served as research professor and director at the royal institute of international affairs until 1955.
People published best known lectures of Toynbee, professor, in memory of Adam Gifford as An Historian's Approach to Religion (1956). His massive work examined development and decay. He presented the rise and fall rather than nation-states or ethnic groups. According to his analysis, the welfare depends on ability to deal successfully with challenges.

He also published Democracy in the Atomic Age (1957), Christianity among the Religions of the World (1958), and Between Niger and Nile (1965).

He died in York, North Yorkshire, England.

Reviews

[Kiril · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is remarkable. Deep, balanced and intelligent account of a wide range of topics, and answers to all questions we are afraid to ask in modern Western civilized society. It is not always an easy read, but it is always a great read. So many things impressed me in the thinking of Daisaku Ikeda, and I catch myself drawn to Northern Buddhism. Yet these thinkers do not constrain themselves to religion, or philosophy, or history. They merge every topic into an intellectual challenge. One of the best examples of remarkable intellectual discussion, bravely asking all questions relevant for humanity today.

[Babak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this marvelous book two times, it has been translated wonderfully into Farsi and main theme is based around two philosophers one from Japan and fareast and other from west point of view. They discuss about sophisticated problems from nature to morality in the future century ahead although the narrative is pretty much reader-friendly but the first time i finished the book i was 18 years young,no experience in realm of philosophy and i didnt get much however it showed a path, 7 years later i read that again and was shocked how much intelligence and knowledge was floating in this little book,so now i recommend to anyone who is new in this topic, start with some simple books and then after that when your mind is ready for philosophical dialogue atmosphere, challenge yourself with the book, for others, it will be a book full of amazing POVs and horizons that could help facing 21st century better.

[Monica]

I'm interested in British historian Arnold J. Toynbee's contribution.

[Hotspur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book suffers from one major mistake which compounds. And that is the dialogue has been altered and rendered into written prose. Had the dialogue been left as is, it would be likely a more concise and readable book, and perhaps more insightful. At times, Toynbee especially, can be stilted and almost lecturing in what should be a healthy dialogue.

Even with this major mistake, I was amazed at how prescient both were more than fifty years ago. They assumed China, which was still ruled by Mao at the time and very poor, would become the leading country of the world--but not materially or economically. These kind of paradoxical insights abound throughout the book. They get major things right, and some things wrong. Also, they are best talking about the major underlying core issues and philosophy, and worst at addressing the practical common sense solutions. I think this is indicative of most in humanity. Even the most intelligent, have a hard time devising good practical solutions.

I was mostly very impressed with this East West dialogue. Just saddened by the missed opportunity of substituting the actual dialogue with after-the fact prose.

[Lau Yan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read about two men's perspectives, a Buddhist lay person and Christain catholic, about many vital issues which confront contemporary man, both in the west and in the east. They spoke about human survival, root cause of all the global problems, what we can learn from different religions and history, about political idealogies, meaning of life, and how we can better balance man's moral immaturity and his technological prowess.

[Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fundamental para entender los principios base de la filosofía budista.

[Florence Minowa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful and dense read. It blows my mind that already in 1976 these two scholars were holding such profound and insightful discussions on dire issues that that world is toiling with today.

[W L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the spark that started my interest in dialogues.

[Saman]

reeed