Caring Economics

Based on a 2010 Mind & Life Conference, Caring Economics is a series of conversations between the Dalai Lama, top scientists, economists, and academics, on whether it was possible to infuse Buddhism principles of altruism and compassion into the world's cutthroat, hyper-ambitious economy.

Many would shake their heads right away and say it's not possible, but this book carefully explores each point in the argument from a variety of perspectives. It questions fundamental assumptions of mainstream economic models as well as human nature, and includes groundbreaking research such as:

• We can train the human mind to have greater altruism, greater compassion, greater empathy, and more resilience.
• The very same reward areas in the brain that are activated when one receives material resources are also activated when one behaves altruistically.
• Investing in the right kinds of companies can promote social and environmental well-being, while still producing financial results.

PRAISE FOR CARING ECONOMICS:

"An intriguing report on unusual objectives pursued through outreach and debate." —Kirkus Reviews

"What ties this collection together is the Dalai Lama's charm, grace, and intelligence...riveting and inspiring." —Publishers Weekly

"This work will be appreciated by readers who believe that human beings can and do act beyond their own self-interest-even in the economic sphere" —Library Journal

ABOUT THE EDITORS

DR. TANIA SINGER is the director of the Department of Social Neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany.

MATTHIEU RICARD is a French Buddhist monk who resides at Schechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery in Nepal. He is the son of the late Jean-Franois Revel, a renowned French philosopher. He is the author of many bestselling titles, including The Monk and the Philosopher and The Quantum and the Lotus.