THE COLUMBIA SOCIETY FOR COMPARATIVE PHILOSOPHY
William Waldron (Middlebury College)
"Buddhist Analyses of the Unconscious Construction of our Collective ‘Life-Worlds"
Respondent: Jonathan Gold (Princeton)
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00pm
Location: Philosophy Hall, Room 716, Upper Campus, Columbia University
Abstract: Yogācāra Buddhists articulated in the 3-5th c. CE India an explicit model of how we collectively, yet mostly unconsciously, construct our shared social realities, our cultures. These “worlds” are supported by cognitive processes informed by cultural influences occurring outside our conscious awareness, in the “store-house consciousness” (ālaya-vijñāna). Through development and socialization, we come to identify with these cultural norms, thinking “I am this” and “this is mine.” Moreover, and in agreement with cognitive scientists, Yogācārins argue that humans have developed to be “innate essentialists,” so that we imagine that our constructed social and cultural identities have their own essential, intrinsic characteristics, set apart from all others, generating the “us/them” dichotomies that underlie conflicts between groups. We can counteract these harmful patterns, Yogācārins say, by analyzing how our social and cultural “realities” are collectively constructed, and by showing how—through logical, psychological, and contemplative exercises—we may weaken our unreflective, knee-jerk reaction to different peoples and cultures, and thereby foster more tolerance, empathy and understanding for all beings. In sum, Yogācāra Buddhism offers a rigorous and nuanced analysis of the origins of our prejudices and a set of methods to overcome them, rooted in ancient traditions yet relevant to contemporary iss
RSVP is required for dinner. Dinner will take place at a nearby restaurant. Please contact Cole at [email protected] for further information.
Website: https://universityseminars.columbia.edu/seminars/comparative-philosophy/
