RS 194 - Robert Wright on "Why Buddhism is True"
Release date: October 1st, 2017
This episode features bestselling author Robert Wright making the case for why Buddhism was right about human nature: its diagnosis that our suffering is mainly due to a failure to see reality clearly, and its prescription that meditation can help us see more clearly. Robert and Julia discuss whether it's suspicious that a religion turned out to be "right" about human nature, what it means for emotions to be true or false, and whether there are downsides to enlightenment.
Robert's Pick: "Beyond Freedom and Dignity" by B.F. Skinner
Robert's Book: "Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment"
Edited by Brent Silk
Music by Miracles of Modern Science
Full Transcripts
Reader Comments (17)
I've found meditation to be quite rewarding, but it is a practice that has to be developed. I heard a quip in a recorded talk by a Buddhist monk once that helped me tremendously: "that space between words, just keep increasing that space". That may not help others but the unique thing about Buddhism among the religions is that it tends to be non-dogmatic. If a meditation technique isn't working for you, abandon it and try another. Something that didn't come across in this discussion is the tremendous number of meditation themes and techniques that have been developed over the past 2,500 years that have helped millions of people reap the benefits of meditation. (Once you get past the "count to ten" phase.)
I think the Buddha had an intensely scientific outlook, as Mr. Wright alluded to. We don't think of that time as being "scientific" at all because they had no instruments to measure the world with, but that really highlights the accomplishments of the man who correctly reasoned that things have causes, therefore happiness has a cause, and then proceeded to dedicate himself to finding it, which he apparently did, but without claiming to "own" happiness in any way and freely gave others advice on how to do the same.
I think in a previous episode someone said that it's normal to have an inflated view of oneself, and depressed people have a more realistic view of themselves.
That's some postmodern gobbledygook, but it's good that Julia didn't get stuck on this the way Sam Harris did with Jordan Peterson, who apparently uses this definition of truth to argue that Christianity is true.
Since no religion/society escapes - why attack Buddhism in particular? Unless you are exercising your biases.
And it maybe be that some "crap" societies/people generate interesting ideas: See Ancient Greece, Renaissance Italy, Plato Schopenhauer etc. And the converse might be true as well. Interesting ideas might lead to greater happiness and it is possible - I don't know, - that some people are happier than others.. Should mindfulness or the kind of practical cognitive therapy insights - that Robert Wright is talking about with his secular Buddhism - be a factor we could explore them.
We need good ideas.
Yeah OK, and Burma doesn't have any of that.
Had he said it about other religions, I would've brought up other countries.