- The Knowledge That Can't Be Overpowered — Socrates & the Buddha
Doug takes up Socrates' claim that genuine knowledge cannot be "overpowered" by desire or emotion, and reads it alongside early Buddhism's treatment of the same problem. Distinguishing knowing about what is good for us from the kind of…
- Power of Influence: Buddha and Plato On Rhetoric
What are the dangers in the arts of persuasion? We'll look to two great thinkers to decide. First we'll look to Plato, who inveighed against rhetoric in his dialogues. Then we'll turn to the Buddha, who had similar concerns with the ways…
- Does a "Historical Buddha" Matter?
Many people gain confidence in the path of Buddhist practice by thinking of the Buddha's own story. We'll consider the difference between a story based in history and one based in myth and legend. We'll take a look at how both Socrates…
- Kindness Towards Everyone?
When we practice loving kindness, are we really supposed to direct kindness towards everyone? Does everyone really deserve kindness? We will look at the early texts as well as a recent article in Tricycle Magazine by scholar Andrew…