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Do Buddhism and Darwinism mix?
Mingle
Veteran
in Philosophy
Considering Darwinism proposes that we are naturally egoistic and only self-interested with our only purpose being to reproduce.
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Comments
Well....there is a small intersection where
Buddhism speaks about how everything constantly changes.
&
Darwinism speaks about how species navigate change.
but they have completely different functions.
There are many things Darwin proposed, just as there are many things any 'expert' proposes. it doesn't make them right all the time, and it doesn't make them inarguable, either.
Honestly, was that a serious question....?
I think that's a rather simplistic and cynical view of what the theory of evolution offers. Darwin, and evolutionary biologists after him, also acknowledge many positive (and from a Buddhist POV, skillful) traits that have arisen out of this evolutionary process.
Here's an interesting talk by primatologist Frans de Waal, for example, discussing the existence of empathy and reciprocity — two of the foundational pillars of human morality — in other social species, suggesting a shared evolutionary origin to these aspects of our own psychological makeup:
Morality without Religion
I think his findings add further corroboration to Kropotkin's theory (among others) that cooperation and mutual aid are factors of evolution at least as important as competition (if not more so); as well as presents a serious challenge to social, political, economic, or philosophic ideas that revolve primarily around the importance of competition and de-emphasize the efficacy of cooperation, particularly when discussing the supposed inherent selfishness/egotism of human nature.
Beyond that, I believe the theory of evolution is entirely compatible with Buddhism, especially since Buddhism acknowledges change as a key component of existence.
Darwinism is based on the niches within environment, which includes the evolution of psychopathy, fear, exploitation of people and resources, tribalism etc
Even stupidity can be a surviving and hence evolving Darwinian niche.
However evolution is an evolving understanding ...
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2010/mar/19/evolution-darwin-natural-selection-genes-wrong
Buddhism works within this biological environment but is a means of transcendence.
"Considering Darwinism proposes that we are naturally egoistic and only self-interested with our only purpose being to reproduce."
Um...Darwinism doesn't propose any such thing. You've been reading biased Creationism website, maybe?
In another thread the point was made about how the 'monkey mind' is an evolutionary mechanism to protect our survival.
In many ways Buddhism is outside or beyond or a countermeasure to this long suffering ape.
It disengages from this instinctual jibbering ...
Becoming or evolving into a post-ape being known as a Buddha - oh yeah!
Darwinism is a term coined by idiots.
Evolution is not a belief system, it is a fact.
Before anyone makes a quip about it being a theory, look up the definition of scientific theory first.
I think the real question is would Buddha accept the scientific validity of evolution.
I'd have to hazard a guess and say he would.
Well, HHDL has always stated (on a slightly different tangent, admittedly) that if Science were to come up with something that contradicted or negated Buddhist philosophy, teachings or Suttas, then there would have to be a re-think, and adjustment.... So far, so good, I believe....
One could say that for the most part [Western] science is just explaining Buddhist psychology & philosophy in ways that the Western mind can grasp.....
Yes, but it still doesn't contradict. it doesn't matter how complex or simple, or in which terms it's explained. It all fits.
Sort of..
Try explaining baseball to a blind person who has never known of baseball on the middle of a Rugby scrim when he/she has never heard of rugby.
Possible but difficult, no?
In general, however, the more western science progresses, the more it tend to support the Buddhist world view in reference to our relationship to the world/universe.
Now back to the Quidige match.