PHIL 298/PSYC 298

BUDDHA'S BRAIN

FALL 2007

INSTRUCTORS: DR. STEPHEN J. LAUMAKIS & DR. GREGORY ROBINSON-RIEGLER

OFFICES: 207 & LL59 MAGNUS/ROACH

PHONE: 962-5363 & 962-5034

OFFICE HOURS: 9:00-9:45 TTH & 2-3 MW & BY APPOINTMENT (SL)

11-12 MWF & 1-3 TH & BY APPOINTMENT (GRR)

COURSE DESCRIPTION/GOALS:

The notion of consciousness--our awareness of the internal and external world--has always been a topic of intense interest to philosophers and scientists, both Eastern and Western. The Western approach has tended to rely on the scientific method, using empirical investigations and objective inquiry to specify the nature of consciousness. A recent approach to understanding the nature of consciousness and thought (which has emerged and gained prominence over the past 50 years) is termed cognitive science. Cognitive science represents an interdisciplinary attempt to understand the nature of thinking, and is rooted primarily in the following disciplines: philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, linguistics, and anthropology. Perhaps the most lively interaction among these disciplines lies at the crossroads of the first three--philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology (more specifically, cognitive psychology). In fact, much current work in cognitive science is focused on trying to respond to basic philosophical questions about psychological processes (e.g., What is the nature of consciousness?) with the tools of brain science (e.g., brain imaging techniques such as PETscanning).

Eastern approaches (Buddhism, in particular) are also devoted to investigating and understanding consciousness. However, their focus is on the analysis of subjective experience through meditative practice, and the cultivation of mindfulness—being awake and fully aware. Buddhists are especially concerned with the practical and moral consequences of this meditative practice. This subjective and contemplative approach to analyzing consciousness can be seen in Western approaches in the form of analytic introspection (a popular tool for analyzing consciousness early in the development of psychology), but was largely abandoned as unscientific. Recently, however, the phenomenological aspects of cognition and consciousness have made a comeback, and there has been an important meeting of Eastern and Western minds with regard to the analysis of consciousness. Both traditions are investigating the benefits of meditation for psychological and physical well being, as well as what the meditative state tells us about the nature of consciousness and thought. (e.g., Wallace, 2007). In fact, in September of 2003, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology sponsored a conference entitled Investigating the Mind: Exchanges between Buddhism and the biobehavioral brain sciences on how the mind works, which featured a dialogue between leading proponents of the Buddhist and cognitive scientific views of mind. This dialogue will be one of the major sources of discussion for this course.
This course will explore attempts by psychologists and Buddhists to understand consciousness. The course will be organized topically, focusing on both Western philosophical and psychological accounts of consciousness and Buddhist theory and practice. The views to be considered include: recent work by cognitive psychologists, cognitive scientists, and the teachings of the Buddha as they have been interpreted by his Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan followers. Readings will include primary and secondary sources from each discipline. Students will be evaluated based on general class discussion and participation, short weekly reaction papers, in-class presentations and discussion leading.

COURSE STRUCTURE:

The courser will be divided into roughly four parts. The first part will be concerned with outlining the basic problem of consciousness. The second part will be concerned with traditional Buddhist accounts of the mind and consciousness. The third part will focus on a comparative analysis of the perspectives discussed in the MIT conference. The fourth part will consider the notion of a contemplative science—the possibility of a new science of mind combining elements of neuroscientific and meditative approaches to consciousness.
Students will be assigned weekly readings, and be asked to participate in an on-line discussion of the readings as well as prepare a one-page reaction paper for class each week. Class time will be devoted to discussion and to student presentations based on the readings.

TEXTS:

Blackmore, S., Consciousness—A Very Short Introduction
Dalai Lama, The World of Tibetan Buddhism
Hanh, T.N., The Miracle of MIndfulness
Harrington, A. & Zajonc, A., The Dalai Lama at MIT
Wallace, A.B., Contemplative Science

ASSIGNMENTS:

Reading of assigned materials is a MUST in order to introduce you to the subject matter, facilitate class discussion and participation, pose distressing questions, and just plain make you think. The course will begin with a lecture format (six weeks) as we present an overview of cognitive science, consciousness, and Buddhism. It will then proceed in seminar style with SIGNIFICANT emphasis on student participation. Students will be responsible for five areas of activity: 1) Participation, 2) Reaction Papers, 3) Discussion Leading, 4) Two Tests, and 5) a Final Paper.

1) PARTICIPATION includes class discussion of the assigned readings and/or optional Web postings at the Threaded Discussion Area arranged for the course.

2) REACTION PAPERS are 1-2 TYPED PAGES in length and are based on pre-assigned readings after Fall break. These ten (10) papers involve a critical analysis/reflection on the texts. The papers will be evaluated on a “+/0/-“ scale. “-“ is missing or deficient (D-F). “0” is an adequate summary with little or no analysis (B-C). “+” is a thoughtful, critical analysis (A).

3) DISCUSSION LEADING consists of forming a group of 2 students (by WEEK #3), selecting a reading (by WEEK #3), and leading class discussion during the class you present the issues involved in your reading.

4) TESTS will be given during the fourth and eighth weeks of class. Test #1 will focus on Consciousness as discussed in the Blackmore text. Test #2 will focus on Buddhism.

5) THE FINAL PAPER (5+ pages?) will require you to respond to the following question: Is Contemplative Science a viable approach to the study of consciousness?

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance is expected. Excessive absence may result in grade reduction. Turn off your cell phones!

GRADE DISTRIBUTION:

Participation/Web = 20%
Reaction Papers = 15%
Discussion Leading = 10%
Tests = 20% each
Final Paper = 15%