The Buddhist Noble Truths: Are They True?
Religions January 6, 2023 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3390/rel14010082 via OpenAlex
Summary
This article examines whether the Buddhist noble truths are empirically true, using recent neuroscience and psychology, particularly Mark Solms's theory. It focuses on how memories shape personality and how memory reconsolidation might reduce suffering by altering those memories. The process of accessing relevant memories is poorly understood, and the author suggests possible methods for achieving it, linking the cessation of desire to the cessation of suffering.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The Buddhist noble truths may be supported by neuroscience and psychology, particularly through memory reconsolidation's potential to reduce suffering by altering personality-forming memories. |
Abstract
Scholarship has not so far raised the question whether the so-called Buddhist noble truths are actually true. The present article addresses this question in light of recent developments in neuroscience and psychology. It bases itself primarily on the theory proposed in some publications by Mark Solms, and on some other recent discoveries in psychology. Concentrating on the role of memories in the formation of personality, it draws attention to the potential effects of memory reconsolidation on those memories and shows how cessation of suffering and cessation of desire make sense in this context. Access to the relevant memories presents itself as a little understood process. Proposals are made as to how it may be attained.