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psychology

March 5, 2019

Psychology tends to confirm the nuts & bolts of Gotama’s teachings, giving us some confidence to overcome any skeptical doubt about their value. Also, evolutionary psychology explains why dukkha is part of the human condition; dukkha is more likely to make us survive as a species. The concept of a separate self that must preserve & pass on this DNA coordinates human actions in many ways. At the same time, comparing Western psychology with Gotama’s teachings shows us the limits of psychology. Deep happiness is more than avoiding or curing mental illness. (Branches of psychology inspired by Gotama’s teachings are usually called “positive psychology,” which aims to promote “human flourishing.”) Also, the idea of the unconscious mind shows us how current behavior conditions future behavior: kamma. While Western psychology is rapidly (by historical standards) taking Gotama’s ideas on board, much remains to be understood & integrated, especially the evolutionary origins & role of ethics in Gotama’s teachings.

ethics • evolution • hedonic • kamma • sīla • vedanā

Filed Under: facets Tagged With: dukkha, psychology

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