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Single Idea 18990
[filed under theme 29. Religion / C. Spiritual Disciplines / 3. Buddhism
]
Full Idea
Nirvana means safety from the everlasting round of adventures of which the world of sense consists. The hindoo and the buddhist for this is essentially their attitude, are simply afraid, afraid of more experience, afraid of life.
Gist of Idea
Nirvana means safety from sense experience, and hindus and buddhists are just afraid of life
Source
William James (Pragmatism - eight lectures [1907], Lec 8)
Book Ref
James,William: 'Pragmatism - eight lectures' [Dover 1995], p.113
A Reaction
Wonderfully American! From what I have seen of eastern thought, including Taoism, I agree with James, in general. There is a rejection of knowledge and of human life which I find shocking. I suspect it is a defence mechanism for downtrodden people.
The
20 ideas
from 'Pragmatism - eight lectures'
18972
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Ideas are true in so far as they co-ordinate our experiences
[James]
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18973
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New opinions count as 'true' if they are assimilated to an individual's current beliefs
[James]
|
18974
|
Truth is a species of good, being whatever proves itself good in the way of belief
[James]
|
18971
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Theories are practical tools for progress, not answers to enigmas
[James]
|
18975
|
We return to experience with concepts, where they show us differences
[James]
|
18976
|
Private experience is the main evidence for God
[James]
|
18978
|
It is hard to grasp a cosmic mind which produces such a mixture of goods and evils
[James]
|
18977
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The wonderful design of a woodpecker looks diabolical to its victims
[James]
|
18979
|
Things with parts always have some structure, so they always appear to be designed
[James]
|
18980
|
If there is a 'greatest knower', it doesn't follow that they know absolutely everything
[James]
|
18981
|
'Substance' is just a word for groupings and structures in experience
[James]
|
18982
|
Pragmatism says all theories are instrumental - that is, mental modes of adaptation to reality
[James]
|
18985
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True thoughts are just valuable instruments of action
[James]
|
18986
|
Truth is just a name for verification-processes
[James]
|
18983
|
In many cases there is no obvious way in which ideas can agree with their object
[James]
|
18984
|
True ideas are those we can assimilate, validate, corroborate and verify (and false otherwise)
[James]
|
18987
|
A 'thing' is simply carved out of reality for human purposes
[James]
|
18989
|
Pragmatism accepts any hypothesis which has useful consequences
[James]
|
18991
|
If the God hypothesis works well, then it is true
[James]
|
18990
|
Nirvana means safety from sense experience, and hindus and buddhists are just afraid of life
[James]
|