“Science, Consciousness & Buddhism” with SJSU Professor

Open Talk with Rick Tieszen, PhD, Professor of Philosophy at San Jose State University

* Thursday, June 28
7:00 – 8:30pm

“Can we envision a scientific methodology for the study of consciousness whereby a robust first-person method, which does full justice to the phenomenology of experience, can be combined with the objectivist perspective of the study of the brain?  …

Unlike that of modern science, Buddhism’s approach has been primarily from first-person experience.”  (The Universe in a Single Atom, H.H. the Dalai Lama, p. 134)

The Dalai Lama’s ‘Mind & Life’ dialogues on Buddhism and science have been taking place since 1987.  In the spirit of these dialogues, this two-part talk will be concerned with what science reveals and conceals about consciousness according to the phenomenological tradition in Western philosophy.  This tradition supports Buddhism’s reliance on first-person experience.  Some specific points of intersection regarding perception, emptiness, dependent arising, and impermanence will be discussed.  The second talk will conclude with a few remarks about the phenomenology of experience and Buddhist mind training.

From Rick:  “The success of science is probably the basis for a certain amount of skepticism in the West about ideas in Buddhism.  But is science in a position to be the arbiter of ideas in Buddhism or is science subject to some of its own limitations?  In these talks I discuss some of the limitations of science that are especially relevant for students of Buddhism.  H.H. the Dalai Lama has sought to bring Buddhism into dialogue with science in order to both deepen and widen Buddhist studies and practice.”

 Suggested reading:  Chapters 6, 7, 8 of The Universe in a Single Atom, by H.H. the Dalai Lama.

Rick Tieszen is Professor of philosophy at San José State University.  He has published books, articles, and reviews on phenomenology, logic, and the philosohy of mind, and is a Buddhist practitioner.

Discount Pre-registration  Welcome to all or any of the talks.  Drop-ins welcome.  No one turned away due to lack of funds.  See:  Registration & Check-in