Buddhism and Science: The basics

 

Buddhism and Science

·        Modern Science developed fully in the 16^th to 18^th centuries (AKA the Enlightenment), bringing a systematic approach to science emphasising the view of scientific realism – the idea that we can really understand the world around us. While empiricism suggests that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, rationalism explains that all knowledge starts with the processes of human thought. Modern Science takes an inductive approach – depending on observation and testing.

·        The Buddha's Unanswerable Questions: Gautama Buddha explains that if he did answer these questions, people would've been drawn into the "net" of theories and speculations that restrain people, trapping them in samsara (preventing liberation). The Buddha's attitude suggests that science is not valuable within Buddhism because it is detrimental to one's focus and path of Buddhism - attaining nirvana.

·        These unanswerable questions also don't really correspond with how things really are because, using the example of the world, Buddhist teachings show us that the world doesn't absolutely exist, or exists in time. The world exists dependent on causes and conditions – the three fires. The Buddha saw that the absolute categories of metaphysics do not apply to things as they really are.

·        Buddhism and Quantum Physics: despite using different methods (I.e. meditation vs empiricism), they both arrive at the conclusion that everything is impermanent at a molecular level. With concepts such as anicca (meaning "impermanence") and the Mahayana extension "shunyata" (literally meaning "emptiness"), the parallels with Quantum theory suggests that science must be valuable since it reinforces the validity of Gautama Buddha's teachings.

 

Buddhism and Quantum Physics
Similarities	Differences
·        Things are in a constant state of flux (anicca). ·        Mahayana view of shunyata suggests that everything is made up of "dharmas" that are constantly changing. ·        Both make assumptions about the existence of unobservable particles. ·        The way that people perceive the world is not the same as the true nature of the world.	·        Science believes that things are not inherently empty. ·        Different methods (I.e. meditation vs empiricism). ·        Science is realist and operates within "conventional" reality, whereas Buddhism argues "ultimate" reality is supernatural. ·        Quantum physicists must guess at the behaviour of quarks because they are unobservable.

 

·        The 14^th Dalai Lama shows an interest in neuroscience. He listed a "suspicion of absolutes" and a reliance on causality and empiricism as common traits between Buddhism and Science. He even points out that there has been no historical antagonism between the two aspects. Some even see him as a "bridge" between spirituality and science; they both have the "same greater goal of seeking truth." The Dalai Lama argues that when Buddhist teachings are proven wrong by science, even core teachings must be overturned.

·        Thich Nhat Hanh supports science as he explores the link between conventional and classical science with Buddhism; classical science explores everyday experiences while the conventional truth explores birth and death. Quantum Physics looks at how nature operates on a subatomic level; ultimate truth transcends notions of being and non-being – it helps practitioners liberate themselves from discrimination and attain nirvana.

 

Science has value within Buddhism
Agree	Disagree
·        The Buddha encouraged people (in the Kamala Sutra) to personally investigate the truth to gain more insight; this is like science. ·        The Buddha based the teachings of magga (8FP) on experience. ·        Alan Wallace: "Four themes are common to Buddhism at its best: rationality, empiricism, skepticism, and pragmatism." ·        The Dalai Lama supports science and argues that scientific arguments can overturn Buddhist teachings. ·        Thich Nhat Hanh has drawn parallels between belief in conventional and ultimate reality and classical and quantum science. ·        Anicca/shunyata relates to quantum theory.	·        Science and Buddhism have different aims and worldviews – Buddhism aims for nirvana whereas science has a realist intention. ·        The Buddha refused to answer questions that could be considered "scientific" in nature. ·        Buddhism practices meditation and believes in miracles. ·        Science doesn't accept belief in the supernatural. ·        The Buddha renounced the world and trying to understand realism.

 

·        Concerning miracles, Buddhists are likely to believe in this because of the Buddha's explanation of the supernormal levels of miracles that followers can achieve (revealed in his dialogue with Kevaddha): physical acts (like passing through walls or flying), reading minds, and guiding one's moral development (this helps to remove suffering). An example of a miracle is the case of Pindola – the Buddha was displeased that he used his psychic powers to retrieve a bowl to impress "simple ignorant people."

·        David Hume would criticise Buddhist beliefs in miracles because: it is highly improbable that these miracles happen in the world around us. He rejects the EWT; either someone has lied or has been mistaken. His support from psychology suggests that humans want to believe in miracles due to a love of awe and wonder; to some extent, these Buddhist beliefs are evidence of "ignorant and barbarous nations."

·        Science has challenged belief in karma and rebirth for numerous reasons. Firstly, these concepts offer a different worldview to that of modern science, thus raising an issue of compatibility. Karma also depends on the existence of an afterlife as it suggests that at karmic consequences are experienced over successive lifetimes. The nature of karma can only be experienced through nirvana, not science. And lastly, karma is apparently random, and it isn't verifiable or falsifiable.

·        Buddhist responses to these criticisms include that of David R. Loy: he suggests that one could either reject science, reject karma and rebirth, or possibly conduct a metanarrative (using original texts to find compatibility with modern world). With a metaphorical/psychological perspective of samsara, Epstein states that "each realm becomes not so much a specific place but … the entire wheel [becomes] a representation of neurotic suffering."

 

Buddhist beliefs in karma and rebirth are reasonable
Agree	Disagree
·        The Buddha did teach that karma exists ·        Whilst science has value, the only way to truly understand the nature of things is to gain nirvana – so science cannot have all the answers. ·        Buddhists have a different view of natural laws; there is a spiritual aspect too. ·        Ideas of the three supernormal miracles. ·        A large amount of the narratives of the Buddha's life involves miracles.	·        Karma is difficult to measure; it is random. ·        Science can overturn Buddhist teachings, according to the 14th Dalai Lama. ·        Occam's Razor: is it the simplest explanation? ·        Natural laws are a closed system – not including karma/rebirth.

 

Buddhism and Rationalism
Buddhism is rational	Buddhism is irrational
·        The 4 Noble Truths are understood through the mind. ·        Opens mind to science – 14th Dalai Lama (overturning). ·        Buddhism is based on empirical experiences of Gautama Buddha, leading him to conclude that Magga is best. ·        Buddhism encourages wisdom and insight.	·        Goes against human nature by rejecting emotions, such as craving. ·        Buddhism believes in the supernatural – rebirth etc. ·        The Buddha's unanswerable questions. ·        Various ineffable concepts (including nirvana). ·        Buddhism upholds the belief that true knowledge is acquired only when one attains nirvana – through meditation.

 

Scientific Discoveries: Medicine (e.g. Penicillin)
For		Against
·        Reduces suffering; allows the value of human life to persist. ·        The Buddha accepted help to preserve his life (rice). ·        Penicillin was discovered accidentally.		·        Tanha (craving) is evident because using penicillin may show an attachment to the world. ·        Health is a form of anicca (impermanence).
Scientific Discoveries: Evolution
For		Against
·        Evolution draws parallels with rebecoming (paticcasamuppada). ·        Both science and Buddhism reject the atman (soul). ·        The idea that life develops from a lesser point may fit with the way Buddhism teaches time is cyclical. ·        No divine creator/creation myth.		·        Buddha's unanswerable questions.
Genetic Engineering		A procedure which suggests that it is possible to change the genetic info of an organism, modifying pieces of DNA.
G.E. Crops and Animals (For)	G.E. Crops and Animals (Against)	G.E. Humans (For)	G.E. Humans (Against)
·        Makes animals immune to diseases. ·        Good economic value. ·        Higher nutritional value. ·        Better overall quality and taste.	·        Side effects. ·        Viruses have come from G.E. ·        Raises ethical implications. ·        Environmental damage; e.g. GMO cross-breeding. ·        Minimal economical value. ·        A growth in allergic reactions.	·        Cures diseases. ·        Humans can live longer and healthier lives. ·        "Saviour Siblings" are possible. ·        Unwanted traits can be removed before birth.	·        Ethical issues. ·        Embryos get destroyed in the process. ·        Personhood? ·        Expensive and may not work.

 

·        Does science act as a "stimulus" for Buddhist ethical thinking? Science has been widely accepted today, although it doesn't offer any moral guides. Many scientific discoveries such as WoMD actually cause a huge amount of harm. Buddhism's emphasis on sila (morality) in all aspects, therefore, makes it very different to science. Buddhists may argue that those who adopt an entirely scientific worldview will lack in ethics – Buddhism is necessary to encourage people to find the middle way, offering ethical guidelines. Thus, because Buddhism embraces science, any scientific discoveries/theories will act as a stimulus for Buddhist ethical debates.