Buddhism and Cognitive (Neuro)Science: An Uneasy Liaison?
Asian Studies January 18, 2023 Sebastjan Vörös
The article examines the relationship between Buddhism and science, focusing on consciousness research in cognitive neuroscience. It outlines three stances: rejection (incompatibility), acceptance (shared commonalities), and construction (compatibility achieved through historical processes). Which stance one adopts depends on how Buddhism and science are construed. The discussion narrows to consciousness research, reviewing arguments for and against collaboration between Buddhism and cognitive neuroscience, termed the 'Three Turnings of the Wheel of (Non)Interaction.' The analysis concludes with reflections on presuppositions and entailments of different stances, emphasizing the distinction between viewing Buddhism as a 'living' versus 'dead' tradition.