Daisaku Ikeda: Arnold J. Toynbee and the Power of Dialogue
Ikeda's wide-ranging discussions with British historian Arnold J. Toynbee, published in book form as Choose Life, paved the way for his dialogues with other leading intellectuals around the world.
Daisaku Ikeda and renowned British historian Arnold J. Toynbee met and exchanged views for some 40 hours during 1972 and 1973. Their dialogue was initially published in 1975 and has since been published in more than 30 languages. This year (2025) marks the 50th anniversary of its initial publication.
The English title is Choose Life, and the book is divided into three parts—Personal and Social Life, Political and International Life, and Philosophical and Religious Life—in which the authors share insights on timeless issues including the role of religion, the environmental crisis, health and welfare, and political systems.
The hope-filled conclusion reached by Dr. Toynbee and Ikeda is that since human beings gave rise to the complex challenges confronting humanity, it cannot be beyond the power of human wisdom to transform them.
At the end of the dialogue, Dr. Toynbee encouraged Ikeda to continue engaging in dialogues with the world’s intellectual leaders, emphasizing that dialogue is the only means by which to open a viable path for humanity. Ikeda went on to meet and engage in dialogue with over 1,600 leading figures, paving a path to peace worldwide (other dialogue partner videos).
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