[eccr] The Dao of the Press

------ Forwarded Message
From: Eric Loo <(eloo /at/ uow.edu.au)>
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2005 11:46:31 +1000
To: <(jeanet /at/ uow.edu.au)>
Subject: [Jeanet] The Dao of the Press

For your info.  For review copies, contact  Shelton Gunaratne
((gunarat /at/ mnstate.edu)).
Eric

=======================================
The Dao of the Press: A Humanocentric Theory
  by Shelton Gunaratne 
  (Professor of mass communications, Minnesota State University Moorhead)


ISBN: 1572736178
Price:$23.95  
Year: summer 2005 Pages: 208

HAMPTON PRESS, INC. * 23 BROADWAY * CRESSKILL NJ 07626 * (TEL)
201.894.1686
* (FAX) 201.894.8732 * (TOLL FREE) 1.800.894.8955

This book attempts to de-Westernize communication theory. It interprets
press theory from the perspective of Eastern philosophy-particularly
Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism, and Confucianism-and the emerging theory of
living systems, which combines the Santiago School's interpretation of
cognition and autopoiesis, and the Brussels School's interpretation of
dissipative structures. It also draws from quantum physics,
post-Parsonsian
systems thinking, and world-systems analysis to derive a more
humanocentric
theoretical framework that reflects the integration of Eastern ontology
with
Western epistemology.

The book demonstrates that the classic Four Theories of the Press and
its
offshoots are based on Eurocentric history, theory, and practice.
Eurocentrism and universalism are presumed to be one and the same. Such
normative theories are routinely used to evaluate the mass media of the
entire world even though they are completely oblivious to non-Western
history and philosophy. This state of affairs attests to what some Third
World scholars describe as "academic dependency and the global division
of
labor in the social sciences".

The book's eight chapters focus on the nature of democracy, the
parallels
between Eastern philosophy and quantum physics, systems thinking and the
theory of living systems, West-centrism of the classical "press"
theories,
the potential of linking Eastern ontology and Western epistemology, the
new
theory of communication-outlets and free expression, the connection
between
democracy and journalism, and the future directions that communication
inquiry ought to explore.

Contents: WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? Democracy and History. Western View of
Democracy. UN View of Democracy. Eastern View of Democracy. Cosmopolitan
Democracy. Excursus: East-West Dichotomy. EASTERN PHILOSOPHY: CONGRUENCE
WITH QUANTUM PHYSICS. Chinese Philosophy and Theory. Hindu Philosophy
and
Theory. Buddhist Philosophy and Theory. Subaltern View versus Quantum
Physics. Excursus: New Confucian Humanism. THEORY AND SYSTEMS THINKING:
EMERGING THEORY OF LIVING SYSTEMS. Cognition (Cognitive Science
Perspective). Autopoiesis (Biological Perspective). Autopoiesis
(Luhmann's
Sociological Perspective). Dissipative Structures (Thermodynamics
Perspective). Meaning as Fourth Perspective. Humanocentric Framework.
Excursus: Monistic Idealism. WEST-CENTRISM AND CLASSICAL "PRESS"
THEORIES.
Nature of West-Centrism. West-Centrism in Communication Theory.
West-Centrism in Media/"Press" Theories. Contemporary State-"Press"
Relations. Excursus: Buddhism and Science. UNITY AND DYNAMISM OF
UNIVERSE:
LINKING EASTERN PHILOSOPHY WITH WESTERN SCIENCE. Bridging East-West Gap.
Dynamism and Unity. System-Environment Interaction. Linking the
Concepts.
Excursus: Theoretical Differences. THEORY OF COMMUNICATION-OUTLETS AND
FREE
EXPRESSION. The Framework. Conceptual Clarifications. Summary. Excursus:
Intercultural Asiacentricity. DEMOCRACY-JOURNALISM CONNECTION. Myth of
the
Fourth Estate. Systems Thinking. Media and Sovereignty. Excursus:
Quantum
Teledemocracy. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS. References. Author
Index.
Subject Index.



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