HPI 56 - Who’s Pulling Your Strings? - Buddhaghosa
Dec 24, 2017
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Buddhaghosa, a major figure in Buddhism, challenges the idea of a controlling self in mental activities. He compares humans to self-driving cars, explores the intricacies of conscious experience, and discusses the active engagement of the mind using vivid analogies. The podcast delves into his philosophy of mind and the importance of empathy in fostering community.
Buddhaghosa challenges the concept of self-control, emphasizing the Buddhist doctrine of no self.
Buddhaghosa replaces the metaphor of a charioteer with that of a mechanical doll to symbolize the absence of a central self directing actions.
Deep dives
Buda Gosse's Denial of Self-Control
Buda Gosse challenges the concept of self-control, rejecting the idea of a controlling self within individuals. He emphasizes the Buddhist doctrine of no self, asserting that there is no inherent sense of control or agency. This contrasts with traditional views that suggest the person is a sum of individual experiences and feelings. Buda Gosse's perspective focuses on the capacity for agency rather than a centralized controller self.
The Metaphor of Marionettes and Self-Driving Cars
Buda Gosse replaces the metaphor of a charioteer controlling movements with that of a mechanical doll held together by strings. This metaphor symbolizes the absence of a central self directing actions. He counters the idea of an inner controller by comparing humans to self-driving cars, complex mechanisms with various functions that work together without the need for a centralized operator.
Buda Gosse's Model of Consciousness and Agency
Buda Gosse presents a nuanced view of consciousness and agency, describing human experience as a combination of multiple activities working in unison. He rejects the notion of a unitary self controlling actions and asserts that conscious mental states reflect agency at each moment. Buda Gosse's model emphasizes the interplay between mind, body, and environment in shaping human experience and perception.