Critical and Crooked Thinking: A Buddhist Perspective

Price options: 

Standard rate: £109

Supporter rate: £119

Theme: 

“Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made.”
— Immanuel Kant (GS, Berlin 1910 Bd. 8, p. 23)

Today's world, with its digital and social media, confront most of us with a staggering amount of (often conflicting) information. The world of Buddha Dharma is no different. The availability of information on all aspects of the Buddhist traditions creates an edifice that we call 'Buddhism' and by which we can find ourselves simply confused rather than liberated.

How do we evaluate this wealth of information, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist? How do we weigh up what is important and useful? Many of the statements that we access have the hallmark of plausibility, if not 'truth' – how do we judge their verisimilitude? Facts and information require discernment and interpretation to make sense. What tools do we have to find our way through this morass of conflicting, uneven and flawed information?

The historical Buddha's time was full of new ideas, rapid political changes, economic shifts and social upheaval. What can we learn from his teachings about the skilful and liberating use of our thinking mind, about effective ways of handling information and asking useful questions?

In this 4-part online series, the two teachers will present snapshots of a Buddhist perspective on the value, practice and methods of critical thinking, with a view to applying them to the challenges and puzzles of our time. John and Akincano will discuss the existential, ethical and intellectual necessity of critical engagement with thought, information and interpretation, and how practitioners can skilfully cultivate clarity, compassion and effectiveness on their emancipatory path.

Schedule:

Four consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6:00 – 8.00 UK time on October 28 and November 4, 11 and 18.

Realtime attendance is encouraged. 

Recordings:

Recordings will be shared after each session.

Suitability:

Open to all - new and experienced practitioners alike. 

 Cost:

• The price includes a fee for the teacher, no additional dana will be requested. 
• Possibility to pay a supporter rate by selecting the option available on the registration form. (If you would like to pay this rate, please tick the 'yes' box under the supporter rate heading on the first page of the registration form.)
• • If you are unable to afford the our standard course rate, please contact us here. We will make sure that no one is turned away because of lack of funds.

Teachers:

[sc name=john-peacock]

[sc name=akincano]