[Buddha-l] Earthquake

[Jim Peavler]

It would be far beyond the valley of the wise if the Buddha knew anything at all about modern geology or geography.  Nor is being wise often considered closely related to science. It seems to me that the Buddha's wisdom is more interested in how to live a good life and how to relieve suffering. Not that he would have been hostile to the ideas of modern science. In fact, I'll bet that he would have been plenty interested.

This thread reminds me of an incident that I was involved in Idaho. My secretary, noticing that I didn't have very many people to talk to about books, invited me to a book club  meeting at her house to discuss  Plato's Apology, Crito, and Phaedo. With some  anticipation, I reread the three works and went to the party. My eagerness to participate in the discussion was considerably dampened when I learned that the purpose for reading Plato's works was to discover whether he might be a proto-Morman.

 I think (today) the purpose of reading philosophy might be to try to learn what the philosopher thought, although I must admit it is fun to speculate on what someone might have thought had someone been in a different time and place. I am influenced by having just last night read David Hume on the effects of time and space (both backwards and forwards) on the human imagination and "passions".
 
On Sep 30, 2010, at 11:18 AM, Ngawang Dorje wrote:

> Hi,
>  
>> Well, since you brought it up, what was your choice in regard to
> science vs. 2D symbolism? You keep on asking us questions without
> stating your views, so I'm wondering, what's your point? <
>  
> I have yet to investigate thoroughly enough to form a viewpoint or conclusion. Right now, I would go for the descriptive geometry, a la, 
>  
> To be honest, I am asking because I don't know what to think. The Buddha seems so wise, but these passages baffles me.
>  
> Best wishes,
> Rahula
> 
> 
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Jim Peavler
jmp at peavler.org

"When the experts are agreed, the opposite opinion cannot be held to be certain; 
"When [they] are not agreed, no opinion can be regarded  as certain by a non-expert;   
"When they all hold no sufficient grounds for a positive opinion to exist, the ordinary man would do well to suspend his judgement."  
	-- Bertrand Russell.