Abstract

The author presents a comparative East-West exploration of the contemporary need for, and possibilities of, broadening humankind's sense of values for a more meaningful dwelling together in the world. Ninian Smart discusses in the Forward why such a constructive and cross-cultural philosophical articulation of the contributions of different traditions is necessary for the development of a more united and global civilization. In his Introduction, Carter proposes that such comparative work can give us wider and more adequate lenses, or contexts of understanding, by which we can give value to life in a more richly meaningful manner.