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Do Buddhism and Darwinism mix?

Considering Darwinism proposes that we are naturally egoistic and only self-interested with our only purpose being to reproduce.

Comments

  • howhow Veteran Veteran
    edited December 2015

    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.

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator

    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....?

  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    edited December 2015

    @Mingle said:
    Considering Darwinism proposes that we are naturally egoistic and only self-interested with our only purpose being to reproduce.

    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.

    VastmindEliz
  • @Mingle said:
    Do Buddhism and Darwinism mix?

    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.

    AjeevakDharmana
  • "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?

    lobsterShoshin
  • 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! B)

  • DavidDavid A human residing in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Ancestral territory of the Erie, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Mississauga and Neutral First Nations Veteran
    edited December 2015

    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.

    lobstermmoShoshinEliz
  • DavidDavid A human residing in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Ancestral territory of the Erie, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Mississauga and Neutral First Nations Veteran

    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.

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator

    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....

    Kundo
  • ShoshinShoshin No one in particular Nowhere Special Veteran

    One could say that for the most part [Western] science is just explaining Buddhist psychology & philosophy in ways that the Western mind can grasp.....

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator

    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.

  • @Shoshin said:
    One could say that for the most part [Western] science is just explaining Buddhist psychology & philosophy in ways that the Western mind can grasp.....

    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.

    0student0Shoshinmmo
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