Similarities between Darwinism and Buddhism

From National Geographic News:

Charles Darwin probably didn't know it, but he held views on human empathy that mirror Buddhist beliefs, says a pioneer in decoding facial expressions. Based on his interactions with foreign cultures, Darwin came to define empathy as a desire to end someone's suffering to assuage one's own discomfort. Buddhist teachings also see empathy as a somewhat selfish motivation, but one that the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, calls the "seed of compassion."

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Photo from National Geographic News.

Darwin and Religion

Feb. 12, 2009, the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin

"Charles Darwin is widely praised by atheists for the way his theory of evolution denies the existence of God. For the same reason he's vilified by conservative religious people.

There is just one problem with the opinions of these opposing camps: They're not exactly based on what Darwin said. The pioneering 19th-century biologist actually confessed that evolution placed him in a "hopeless muddle" about the concept of God.

Church-going Darwin did, indeed, end up rejecting traditional 19th-century views of an Almighty Christian God. He could not accept that an all-powerful Being would willingly cause, as he said, a cat to cruelly play with a mouse."

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A Conversation on Science, Ethics, and Religion

Thanks to Ven. Kusala from UrbanDharma for sending information about this event.


Esteemed American Buddhist scholar and activist Robert Thurman will be appearing at the Skirball in mid-February, speaking on the topic of science, ethics, and religion with renowned inventor and engineer Danny Hillis. Presented in celebration of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday, the conversation between Dr. Thurman and Dr. Hillis should make for a compelling evening. Details are below.

A CONVERSATION ON SCIENCE, ETHICS, AND RELIGION

Robert Thurman and Danny Hillis

Thursday, February 12, 8:00 p.m.

$15 General; $12 Skirball Members; $10 Full-Time Students

Advance tickets: Available on site at the Skirball, online at www.skirball.org, or by phone at (877) SCC-4TIX or (877) 722-4849

Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Preeminent figures in the fields of religion and technology, Dr. Robert Thurman and Dr. Danny Hillis engage in a thought-provoking conversation on scientific progress and its impact on society. Robert Thurman has cultivated a worldwide awareness of Tibet through his academic and popular writing, translation of important Buddhist texts, and commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the China-Tibet conflict. Danny Hillis is a respected figure in the technology community. He is an inventor, scientist, author, and engineer. He holds more than eighty U.S. patents and is the designer of the 10,000-year mechanical clock. Presented by the Skirball in celebration of the bicentennial of Charles Darwin.