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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Buddhism and Modern Psychology by Princeton University

4.8
stars
5,261 ratings
•
1,789 reviews

About the Course

The Dalai Lama has said that Buddhism and science are deeply compatible and has encouraged Western scholars to critically examine both the meditative practice and Buddhist ideas about the human mind. A number of scientists and philosophers have taken up this challenge. There have been brain scans of meditators and philosophical examinations of Buddhist doctrines. There have even been discussions of Darwin and the Buddha: Do early Buddhist descriptions of the mind, and of the human condition, make particular sense in light of evolutionary psychology? This course will examine how Buddhism is faring under this scrutiny. Are neuroscientists starting to understand how meditation “works”? Would such an understanding validate meditation—or might physical explanations of meditation undermine the spiritual significance attributed to it? And how are some of the basic Buddhist claims about the human mind holding up? We’ll pay special attention to some highly counterintuitive doctrines: that the self doesn’t exist, and that much of perceived reality is in some sense illusory. Do these claims, radical as they sound, make a certain kind of sense in light of modern psychology? And what are the implications of all this for how we should live our lives? Can meditation make us not just happier, but better people? All the features of this course are available for free. It does not offer a certificate upon completion....

Top reviews

LW
Oct 25, 2020

I thought this was a great introduction to both modern Buddhist thought and evolutionary psychology. Professor Wright is an excellent lecturer, and his office hours are informative as well as amusing.

VC
Nov 15, 2015

I have been practicing meditation for two years already.In so far I have attended all Deepak Chopra meditation experiences which I found very helpful but not as helpful this course provided me so far.

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1451 - 1475 of 1,760 Reviews for Buddhism and Modern Psychology

By Alejandro E C D

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Sep 3, 2020

excelente

By Judy G

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Jul 22, 2020

on point!

By DR. S T C

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Jul 19, 2020

excellent

By Lilia R C B

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Jul 15, 2020

Excellent

By SONIA T S

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Jun 27, 2020

Muy Bueno

By Yashas

•
Jun 7, 2020

Educative

By ayden c

•
Jun 7, 2020

thank you

By Arnoldo J P

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May 23, 2020

excellent

By Chaitanya S T

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Apr 26, 2020

Excellent

By Nguyễn L Đ Q

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Apr 16, 2020

very good

By NINGJUN M

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Mar 27, 2020

excellent

By Susette R

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Sep 18, 2018

Excelente

By Stew B

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May 8, 2018

Excellent

By Guillermo

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May 6, 2018

Excellent

By Pallavi D D

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May 5, 2018

Very nice

By Maria E O

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Jan 29, 2018

Loved it!

By Abhishek T

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Oct 3, 2017

Awesome !

By Barbara K A

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Sep 4, 2017

Excellent

By Siri L D

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Jul 2, 2017

So great!

By Marco A B V

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Jun 5, 2017

excellent

By Aishwarya M

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May 29, 2017

VERY GOOD

By Sarah N

•
Apr 3, 2017

loved it.

By Ago P

•
Nov 24, 2015

Excellent

By Júlia C D

•
Nov 9, 2015

Very good

By Danny I

•
Sep 20, 2015

I love it

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