Thursday's discussion considered the ideas of persons...eternal persons...selves...souls. It is the Buddhist idea that constant unsatisfied craving causes suffering. The alleviation of suffering is a way to happiness. Meditative practice (compassion and lovingkindness) can help with this. And a life of service contributes to the happiness of a eudaimon/Buddha. But ultimately every superscript needs to find his/her own path to eudaimonia.
Chapter 5 FQ: What are two necessary conditions for eudaimonistic theory?
1. the theory describes social and wider ecological conditions necessary for individual happiness.
2. the theory describes how the psyche should be structured so that with the right traits/dispositions/convictions an individual can flourish. page 142
Here's Flanagan discussing eudaimonia, though this lecture is pre-BB.
Discussion question: What is a personal, constant and unsatisfying craving that plagues you?
ReplyDeleteI think one of mine is good food.
Factual question: Why did the Dalai Lama tell Flanagan in a private audience that he doesn't believe in reincarnation in the literal sense?
Answer: Flanagan believes this is because the idea is impossible to comprehend, and the details of how reincarnation could even begin to work for a being that has no-self presents serious logical problems.
Extra link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MHTM55YPm0
i totally agree with Samantha's discussion question. food is such a guilty pleasure for so many people now since it has become entertainment instead of just a meal.
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