Alan Watts in Late-Twentieth-Century Discourse: Commentary and Criticism from 1974 to 1994

This book is an anthology of commentary and criticism written within the transitional period between Alan Watts' 1973 death and the twenty-first century intellectual horizon. It offers varied explanations and assessments of Watts' influence on the Beat and Hippie generations, and his popularization of Zen Buddhism in America, tackling unaddressed questions within the milieu of late-twentieth-century America from the Reagan Revolution to paradigm shifts in Buddhist studies and the rise of post-colonial theory.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 17 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book serves as an anthology of insightful commentary and critical analysis, penned during the transformative era that bridged the gap between Alan Watts' passing in 1973 and the intellectual horizon of the twenty-first century. Comprising 16 chapters, meticulously written and published between 1974 and 1994, this volume features up-to-date introductions by the essayists and other contemporary thinkers, offering a profound glimpse into the hitherto unexplored realms of Alan Watts' profound impact within the late-twentieth-century discourse. Positioned as an intermediary space, where scholars reoriented their bearings amidst changing times and emerging academic trends, this volume sheds light on the multifaceted dimensions of Alan Watts' influence. It explores various explanations and assessments of the renowned philosopher, delving into his profound influence on the Beat and Hippie generations, as well as his successful popularization of Zen Buddhism in America. By addressing unaddressed questions within the milieu of late-twentieth-century America, encompassing the Reagan Revolution, religious conservatism, paradigm shifts in Buddhist studies, and the rise of post-colonial theory, this volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the era's intellectual currents. Contributors provide post-mortem analyses and critiques of Watts, allowing for a thematic rendering of their consonance or dissonance with the enduring themes of Beat, Hippie, and Zen Buddhism that resonated throughout his lifetime.

This volume holds immense appeal to scholars and students engaged in the fields of humanistic psychology, transpersonal psychology, the psychology of religion, comparative religion, and American studies. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Alan Watts' intellectual legacy and its profound impact on contemporary thought.

Weight: 675g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032471358