Fritjof Capra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fritjof Capra
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Capra in 2010
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| Born | February 1, 1939 Vienna, Austria
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| Alma mater | University of Vienna |
| Known for | Ecoliteracy Popularizing systems theory |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics, systems theory |
| Institutions | U.C. Santa Cruz, U.C. Berkeley, San Francisco State University |
| Writing career | |
| Notable works | The Tao of Physics The Turning Point |
Fritjof Capra (born February 1, 1939) is an American author and scientist. He was born in Austria. He is known for his work in physics and his ideas about how everything in the world is connected. He also cares a lot about the environment. In 1995, he helped start the Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, California. This center teaches people about ecology and how to think about systems.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Fritjof Capra was born in Vienna, Austria. He went to the University of Vienna. In 1966, he earned his PhD in theoretical physics there. This means he studied the ideas and theories behind how the universe works.
After his studies, Capra worked at several universities. He did research in particle physics. This field studies the tiny particles that make up everything. He also researched systems theory. This is about understanding how different parts of a system work together. He worked at places like the University of California, Santa Cruz and the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. He also taught at U.C. Berkeley and San Francisco State University.
His Books and Ideas
Capra has written many popular books. These books explore how science connects to other areas of life.
The Tao of Physics
One of his most famous books is The Tao of Physics, published in 1975. The book explores the links between modern physics and ancient Eastern ideas. Capra suggests that both science and spiritual beliefs can lead to similar understandings. They both help us learn about the universe.
The Turning Point
In 1982, he wrote The Turning Point. This book discusses how our way of thinking needs to change. It suggests we move from old, mechanical views to new, more connected ones. A movie called Mindwalk (1990) was loosely based on this book. Capra even helped write the movie's script.
Understanding Connections
Capra believes that Western culture often thinks in a straight line. He thinks we should instead look at things as a whole. This is called a holistic approach. He disagrees with the idea that you can only understand something by breaking it into small parts.
In his book The Web of Life (1996), Capra explains this idea. He says that understanding the relationships between parts is key. Everything in nature is connected like a web. If you pull one part of a web, the whole web moves. This shows how everything affects everything else.
Science and Religion
In 1991, Capra co-wrote Belonging to the Universe. He wrote it with David Steindl-Rast, a monk. The book looks at how new ideas in science and religion are similar. They suggest that both offer new ways to see the universe.
Center for Ecoliteracy
Fritjof Capra is a founding director of the Center for Ecoliteracy. This center is in Berkeley, California. It teaches about ecology and systems thinking in schools. The goal is to help young people understand how nature works. It also teaches them how to think about big, connected systems.
Capra is also a member of the Earth Charter International Council. This group works to build a fair and peaceful world. It promotes caring for the Earth.
See also
- Arne Næss
- Center for Ecoliteracy
- Deep Ecology
- Ecoliteracy
- Ervin Laszlo
- Gaia hypothesis
- Gregory Bateson
- Hindu idealism
- Holism
- Systems theory
