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The Buddhist idea of enlightenment is analogous in many ways to “Utopianism”.
[Thread: some conjectures on meditation & utopian visions]
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[Thread: some conjectures on meditation & utopian visions]
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Utopianism pursues perfection within society, a perfect political state.
The goal of enlightenment involves the pursuit of a perfect state of mind.
Both theories are fundamentally flawed and counterproductive in their respective fields.
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The goal of enlightenment involves the pursuit of a perfect state of mind.
Both theories are fundamentally flawed and counterproductive in their respective fields.
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[Utopianism]
1. A perfected and completed political state can be attained by a known method.
2. Until it is reached, there is suffering that is both unnecessary and avoidable.
3. Political/social action is a mere means towards the end of attaining this perfect system.
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1. A perfected and completed political state can be attained by a known method.
2. Until it is reached, there is suffering that is both unnecessary and avoidable.
3. Political/social action is a mere means towards the end of attaining this perfect system.
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4. If a society falls short of this goal, it's explained by inadequate implementation. Not enough action, not the right kind etc.
5. Once this political utopia is reached, no further problems need to be solved (except the problem of how to sustain it in its purest form)
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5. Once this political utopia is reached, no further problems need to be solved (except the problem of how to sustain it in its purest form)
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[The Goal of Enlightenment]
1. A perfected and completed state of mind can be attained by a known method.
2. Until it is reached, there is suffering that is both unnecessary and avoidable.
3. Meditation practices are a means towards the attainment of this perfected state.
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1. A perfected and completed state of mind can be attained by a known method.
2. Until it is reached, there is suffering that is both unnecessary and avoidable.
3. Meditation practices are a means towards the attainment of this perfected state.
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4. If a person falls short of this goal, it's explained by inadequate practice. Not enough practice, incorrect understanding, etc.
5. Once enlightenment is reached, no further problems need to be solved. (except the problem of how to sustain it in its purest form)
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5. Once enlightenment is reached, no further problems need to be solved. (except the problem of how to sustain it in its purest form)
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One reason for drawing this analogy is that the human mind can be viewed as a microcosm of society as a whole.
There are problems. Conflicts between ideas within a mind; conflicts between ideas of different people within society. Different attempted solutions.
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There are problems. Conflicts between ideas within a mind; conflicts between ideas of different people within society. Different attempted solutions.
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Both theories address the question: “How can we resolve conflicts?” at different levels of emergence.
They both answer: “By trying to achieve a perfect state using a known method”
However, because perfection is actually impossible, this leads to the following effect:
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They both answer: “By trying to achieve a perfect state using a known method”
However, because perfection is actually impossible, this leads to the following effect:
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Utopians are incentivised to coerce anyone who has alternative views in their society through their pursuit of an idealised blueprint.
Similarly, the goal of enlightenment will impede meditation practice by incentivising self-coercion.
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Similarly, the goal of enlightenment will impede meditation practice by incentivising self-coercion.
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Seeking an enlightened state leads to dismissal and aversion of entities in the mind which fall short of this proposed standard.
As Sam Harris once said (although he was making a different point):
"All there is to witness is the evidence of your own unenlightenment"
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As Sam Harris once said (although he was making a different point):
"All there is to witness is the evidence of your own unenlightenment"
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The reason for these parallels is that there's a general truth here.
Any attempt to actualise a utopian vision tends towards authoritarian solutions.
It inevitably leads to the hindrance of freedom of thought and autonomy. This occurs at all scales.
To summarise:
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Any attempt to actualise a utopian vision tends towards authoritarian solutions.
It inevitably leads to the hindrance of freedom of thought and autonomy. This occurs at all scales.
To summarise:
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Don't seek a perfect problem-free state. It's impossible and undesirable.
The rational (and moral) course of action is to try to create piecemeal, iterative solutions to problems, both within politics and psychology.
This is not a means to an end, but an end in itself.
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The rational (and moral) course of action is to try to create piecemeal, iterative solutions to problems, both within politics and psychology.
This is not a means to an end, but an end in itself.
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The whole challenge is to most effectively cultivate and encourage the ongoing creative resolution of conflict.
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