mid ter rewview Flashcards
Net of Indra (hua-Yen Buddhism):
A metaphor for infinite interconnection where every individual reflects and impacts the whole
Dependent Origination (pratītya-samutpāda):
Nothing exists independently; all phenomena arise due to interrelated causes and conditions
Śūnyatā (Emptiness):
The self lacks intrinsic, independent existence; fosters compassion and ethical action
Dialogical Nature of the Self (Taylor)
The self is shaped through relationships and societal interactions
Nirvana vs. Samsara:
Nirvana (ultimate reality) is not separate from daily life; it’s about transforming perception of interconnectedness
Ethical Practices:
Buddhist Ethics:
Treat others as oneself (samatā or equality)
Practice compassion through everyday actions (mindfulness, care, presence).
Ethical Practices:
Taylor’s Ethics:
A good life requires recognizing shared moral frameworks and the interdependence of interests
Practical takeaways:
Challenge Atomistic Views:
Question individualism; recognise the roles of community and relationships
Practical takeaways:
Cultivate Compassion:
See Others’ suffering as your own and act to reduce it.
Practical takeaways:
Integrate Philosophy and Practice:
Apply ethical insights to everyday life (e.g., caring for others, environmental stewardship
Practical takeaways:
Focus of Interconnection:
Understand actions impact the broader web of relationships and the environment
Contemplative Neuroscience and Videos
Meditation and mindfulness can change your brain in ways that make you calmer, happier, and more focused
Richard Davidson (Neuroscientist):
Mediation can rewire your brain, making you more resilient to stress
Practicing mindfulness strengthens parts of the brain that control focus and emotional balance
Sarah Lazar (Havard Neourscientist):
Meditation increases gray matter in the brain (the part linked to learning, memory, and emotion)
Andrew Hurberman (stanford Neuroscientist):
Focused breathing and mindfulness reduce anxiety and helath with concentration
These practice also increase neuroplasticity – your brain’s ability to adapt and grow
The Ethics of Interconnectedness: Charles Taylor, No-Self, and Buddhism
Pg.242- 249
Concepts of self in buddhism vs. Taylor’s Social Ontology
Buddhist Views on the self (No-self or Anātman):
Abhidharma Traditions (e.g., Sarvāstivāda, Theravāda):
The self as a separate, permanent individual is a delusion.
The “self’ is merely an aggregate of processes (the Five Skandhas):
Form (physical body
Consciousness
Perception
Emotion
Volittion
Analogy: Like a chariot, the “self” does not exist beyond its constituent parts (e.g., wheels, axle).
The Ethics of Interconnectedness: Charles Taylor, No-Self, and Buddhism
Pg.242- 249
Concepts of self in buddhism vs. Taylor’s Social Ontology
Dependent Origination (pratītya-samutpāda):
All things arise interdependently and lack independent existence (e.g., no svabhāva or unique essence).
Impermanence (Anitya): Nothing is permanent;everything is in a state of becoming
Suffering (duhkha): ARises from craving (trsnā) and clinging (upādāna) to illusion of a permanent self
The Ethics of Interconnectedness: Charles Taylor, No-Self, and Buddhism
Pg.242- 249
Concepts of self in buddhism vs. Taylor’s Social Ontology
Madhyamaka Philosophy (Nāgārjuna):
All phenomena, including basic constituents (dharmas), are śūnya (empty of inherent self-existence).
Change and transformation are only possible because nothing has a fixed, unchanging essence
The Ethics of Interconnectedness: Charles Taylor, No-Self, and Buddhism
Pg.242- 249
Concepts of self in buddhism vs. Taylor’s Social Ontology
Zen (Thich Nhat Hanh’s “inter-being”)
Everything exists in interdependence with everything else.
A flower, for example, “inter-is” with sunlight, rain, soil, etc. It contains everything except a separate self
Taylor’s Social Ontology:
Self as a “self-Interprething Being”:
Human inhabit a “space of reasons”, engaging with practical and moral consideration
The self is not merely a collection of parts (rejects the chariot analogy).
Identity is shaped by meaning, purpose, and relationships with others
Taylor’s Social Ontology:
Comparison with buddhism:
Taylor rejects reductionist views of the self
Overlap with Mahāyāna Perspectives:
Shared emphasis on interconnection and relational existence.
Ethical focus on compassion and concern for others, aligning with the Mahāyāna ideal of achieving awakening for the benefit of all beings
Key Ethical Implications:
Buddhism:
Ethics rooted in understanding interdependence and reducing suffering for all being
Liberation (nirvana) involves freeing oneself from the illusion of separateness
Key Ethical Implications:
Taylor:
Ethics emerge from the self’s engagement with others and a share pursuit of the good
Main Themes:
Interconnectedness of Selves:
Hua-Yen Buddhism (net of Indra): Metaphor for interconnected selves; every action affects the whole
Taylor’s Dialogical Self: The self exists only in relation to others
Main Themes:
Ethical Implications:
Both Buddhist and taylor’s perspectives reject the idea of the self as isolated
Ethics arise from recognizing interconnectedness:
Buddhist view: Compassion (karunā) emerges from understanding dependent origination (pratītya-samutpāda).
Taylor’s View: A “self” gains meaning through relationships and shared moral frameworks
Critique of Individualism:
Atomistic views of the self (isolated, permanent) lead to:
Separation, suffering, and environmental harm
Narrow ethical concerns focused on self- interest
Philosophy as Practice:
Buddhist philosophy integrated intellectual understanding with contemplative practices (e.g., mindfulness).
Purpose: Reduce suffering and transform lived experiences.
Comparison between Taylor & Buddhism:
Similarities:
Both emphasize the interconnected nature of selves
Ethical broadening due to rejection of atomistic self-concepts
Differences:
Buddhism often posits a deeper reality (emptiness, śūnyatā) beyond appearances
Taylor focuses on lived experience and social ontology without positing an ultimate reality
