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October 21, 2005
Is Compassion Scientifically Measurable?
[The Dalai Lama] has been an enthusiastic collaborator in research on whether the intense meditation practiced by Buddhist monks can train the brain to generate compassion and positive thoughts. Next month in Washington, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to speak about the research at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience.This is interesting for practicing Jews as well because it raises the question whether kavanah - or intentionality in prayer - is also measurable and, therefore, efficacious in a manner that translates immediately to the modern-trained sensibility.
Of course, the very fact that such an experiment takes place - religion, God forbid! mixing with science - attracts its share of immediate, kneejerk detractors.
But 544 brain researchers have signed a petition urging the society to cancel the lecture, because, according to the petition, "it will highlight a subject with largely unsubstantiated claims and compromised scientific rigor and objectivity."...[M]any scientists who signed the petition say they did so because they believe that the field of neuroscience risks losing credibility if it ventures too recklessly into spiritual matters.
"As the public face of neuroscience, we have a responsibility to at least see that research is replicated before it is promoted and highlighted," said Dr. Nancy Hayes, a neurobiologist at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey who objects to the Dalai Lama's speaking. "If we don't do that, we may as well be the Flat Earth Society."
Alcibiades | 10/21/05 at 02:37 AM | Categories: - Comparative Religion
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Comments
Alcibiades, thanks for posting this. A great example of circular reasoning and political correctness in the scientific establishment: If it doesn't conform to what we already know, it must be "pseudo-science"!
If an idea is true, ultimately the facts will bear it out; if it's false, the facts will show that as well. What are those 544 people afraid of?
Asher - Dreams Into Lightning | October 21, 2005 11:52 AM
I find this fascinating. From my own experience, when I daven every day, there is an increased feeling of well-being and a greater receptiveness to the world. But I also think it is a matter of discipline and will, and for me, the content matters- it keeps me on the right path. I don't think meditation for one's own sake, or without a focus or goal necessarily engenders much that is concrete.
Having said that, and from my psych background, I would also add that compassion is not measurable, though frequency of postivity may be possibly measurable. Still, how one acts in the world is a whole other ballgame, regardless of how "positive" one's thoughts.
Barefoot Jewess | October 21, 2005 01:52 PM
