Should Buddhism be understood as a weak version of antinatalism?
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Is antinatalism more philosophical and less practical then Buddhism? I would argue the reverse. I can after all take concrete steps to avoid progeny. My Buddhist awakening is somewhat more speculative.
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That's a good point, actually. In fact, you need not take any steps at all to be consistent with the antinatalist view. Just don't have kids. Stop the human project altogether. I'm afraid that might be a hard pill for 99%+ of people on the planet to swallow.
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So maybe they're just two different angles on the same idea. Antinatalism: No additional experience should be created. Buddhism: For the experience that's already here, maybe there's some way to make that experience less miserable for now.
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Yes, that's how I see it.
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You then have two choices - and in an enlightened society, both of them would be supported both morally and practically. The choices are: a) suicide b) learn to live in a way that minimizes the amount of suffering in yourself and in others (i.e. awakening)
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An enlightened society would be one that is totally honest with itself about the human condition. Dharma shouldn't be esoteric knowledge; it should be a human right. The "what now" question is one everyone should confront, and each person should be allowed to make their choice.
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If I placed sugar cube in my mouth and then were tasked with explaining my sensation of taste at that moment to a person who has never tasted sugar at all that would be "esoteric knowledge". People get hung up over "esoteric knowledge".
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I was working with the dictionary definition of esoteric, which is "intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest". Dharma is something you have to seek out, whereas it should be taught in every school.
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I think teaching dharma in school if fine but good luck that that, realistically speaking. However, I think the definition, while plenty of wiggle room open for meaningful discussion, is exactly the definition of dharma. Not by design or intent. Just, not everybody is into it.
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Agreed. Realistically, I don't see that happening any time soon -- if ever. Which is a real shame, because I think the project of building a functional civilization is doomed unless we collectively wake up first. We can't create a better reality if we're deluded about this one.
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So do you see the inability to collectively wake up and the deluded nature of a society as a reason for one not to practice?
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Of course not. I don't think I implied that.
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