Buddhism and Science

Overview

Recall questions on how science has shaped Buddhist claims to truth and ethics, and the challenge scientific explanation poses to karma.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   In what two ways has science influenced Buddhism's approach to establishing truth?

   Model answer

   Through its emphasis on evidence and reason as methods for establishing truth.

2. 2

   How have specific scientific discoveries affected Buddhist thought?

   Model answer

   They have influenced Buddhist thought and prompted Buddhist responses to new findings and theories.

3. 3

   In what way has science acted as a stimulus to Buddhist ethics?

   Model answer

   By raising new moral questions that require Buddhist ethical thinking and responses.

4. 4

   How has scientific explanation challenged the traditional Buddhist belief in karma?

   Model answer

   By offering alternative causal explanations for events and circumstances that were traditionally attributed to karma.

5. 5

   How do some Buddhists respond to the scientific challenge to karma?

   Model answer

   By arguing that karma operates on a different level of causation than physical science addresses.

6. 6

   Why does scientific explanation pose a challenge to Buddhist belief in miracles?

   Model answer

   Because science provides naturalistic explanations for phenomena that were traditionally understood as miraculous.

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