Rebirth and the Stream of Life: A Philosophical Study of Reincarnation, Karma and Ethics

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Rebirth and the Stream of Life explores the diversity as well as the ethical and religious significance of rebirth beliefs, focusing especially on Hindu and Buddhist traditions but also discussing indigenous religions and ancient Greek thought. Utilizing resources from religious studies, anthropology and theology, an expanded conception of philosophy of religion is exemplified, which takes seriously lived experience rather than treating religious beliefs in isolation from their place in believers lives. Drawing upon his expertise in interdisciplinary working and Wittgenstein-influenced approaches, Mikel Burley examines several interrelated phenomena, including purported past-life memories, the relationship between metaphysics and ethics, efforts to demythologize rebirth, and moral critiques of the doctrine of karma. This range of topics, with rebirth as a unifying theme, makes the book of value to anyone interested in philosophy, the study of religions, and what it means to believe that we undergo multiple lives.

Reviews

Mikel Burley has written a profound and intriguing study of reincarnation and its relation to karma and ethics using his depth of knowledge of religious traditions and discussions by philosophers, religious studies experts, and anthropologists of the ethical and experiential meaning of rebirth Burley not only shares an immense knowledge of Western, Hindu, and Buddhist scholarship on all dimensions of rebirth, he also uses his words very artfully and insightfully. * Reading Religion *
[A]n original, fascinating, and deeply informed book. It gives a detailed understanding of what it means to believe that we undergo multiple lives with the adequate use of resources from religious studies, anthropology, and theology. ... The authors reference to various interrelated phenomena such as memories, metaphysics, ethics, demythologize, and the doctrine of Karma makes the book an invaluable one. ... [A] masterpiece ... recommended for every category of people, especially scholars and students of philosophy of religions. * Reviews in Religion and Theology *
With clarity and erudition, Burley shows how the many varieties of belief in rebirth are intelligible only in relation to the cultural and moral practices in which a societys concepts, like that of personhood, are embedded. The sympathetic understanding of rebirth and karma that Burley himself displays is a welcome change from the brusque dismissal of these notions by critics still in the grip of the distorting 'pictures' he exposes. * David E. Cooper, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Durham University, UK *
Burleys book is an original and incisive contribution to the philosophy of religion. In an exemplary manner, it pays careful attention to possibilities of meaning in order to bring out the sense of rebirth beliefs within the 'stream of life' of a believing community. It is a first-rate piece of work and deserves to have a very large readership. * Brian R. Clack, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of San Diego, USA *

Author Bio

Mikel Burley is Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Leeds, UK. He is the author of three previous books, including Contemplating Religious Forms of Life: Wittgenstein and D. Z. Phillips (2012). He is also a co-editor of Language, Ethics and Animal Life: Wittgenstein and Beyond (2012).