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

4.8
stars
5,195 ratings
•
1,754 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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1701 - 1723 of 1,723 Reviews for Buddhism and Modern Psychology

By Natalia S A

•
May 23, 2020

Abandono el curso porque el contenido está muy basado en opiniones del profesor pero no brinda mucho contenido teórico.

By Terry C

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Nov 9, 2015

A bit thin on the psychology. References are not hard to find and post in Resources.

By Faridul A S

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May 4, 2020

Where is my course completion certificate?

By Anne

•
Jan 13, 2016

........u,mumjhmhjm h

By Aparna J

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Sep 3, 2020

VERY LONG LECTURES WITHOUT PROPER STRUCTURE AND VERY TEDIOUS ASSIGNMENTS. TOO MUCH EFFORT AND TIME TO BE SPEND ON SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T EVEN OFFER A CERTIFICATE.

By MIRIAM P C

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Sep 6, 2020

Indican que puede tomarse en español pero no tiene el acceso es una lastima espero lo puedan meter con traducción en español en breve.

saludos

By SEEMA S P

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Aug 2, 2017

its very boring. the lecturer doesnt know to take class.its just he is reading a book.i am discontinuing the course.

sorry

By Alice Z

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Jan 15, 2019

The basis of Buddhism is strop making excuses and that is what this course implicitly implies.

By Michelle M C

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Dec 11, 2015

I am just not feeling this course. I have done up to week five and still am not hooked. Sorry!

By Joe L

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Sep 2, 2020

No certificate? Whack... You made me write a paper to not earn a certificate? Very whack.

By DR.SUNDARAPANDIYARAJ S

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Jun 11, 2020

wer is certificate. doing course of spending time. but certificate not offered

By Jisha N

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Feb 22, 2021

Excellent Course but very bad for not providing certificates.

By Aunatya m

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Apr 7, 2016

Smile on the face of professor is missing, otherwise 5 stars.

By Joselin F O c

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Jan 29, 2017

Me encanta porque te enseña a ver la vida de otro ojos

By Claudia G

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May 13, 2020

Estoy buscando cursos de historia en español.

By Adeel A S

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Aug 22, 2020

i hate this you don't give me a certificate

By HARSHVARDHAN W

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May 24, 2020

this course does not give any certificate

By Fernando A L A

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Jun 12, 2020

You should have a certificate.

By Sarah A S

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Jan 22, 2016

All lecture, no use of media

By PRANAY P

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Apr 3, 2020

i dont get the certificate

By Prabhjot S

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Feb 23, 2021

Not that great tbh!!

By Elena M

•
Jun 10, 2016

A waste of my time.

By Suryawanshi M S

•
May 20, 2020

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