Why I Am Not a Buddhist Cover
Podcast Mentions

Why I Am Not a Buddhist

Evan Thompson

A provocative essay challenging the idea of Buddhist exceptionalism, from one of the world’s most widely respected philosophers and writers on Buddhism and science Buddhism has become a uniquely favored religion in our modern age. A burgeoning number of books extol the scientifically proven benefit...

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10% Happier with Dan Harris

The book's title itself was considered challenging by the host, who calls himself a Buddhist. The author used the book to present critical points about Buddhism, framing himself as a 'friend of Buddhism.' He explored his issues with what he termed 'Buddhist exceptionalism,' 'Buddhist modernism,' and 'neural Buddhism' within the context of the dialogue between Buddhism and science. The paperback version of the book was mentioned as coming out in February (of the time of the recording).

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We went with it because it happens to be the title of a recent book whose author you're going to hear from today.

— Episode: Why I’m Not a Buddhist | Evan Thompson

Episode: Why I’m Not a Buddhist | Evan Thompson

The book's title itself was considered challenging by the host, who calls himself a Buddhist. The author used the book to present critical points about Buddhism, framing himself as a 'friend of Buddhism.' He explored his issues with what he termed 'Buddhist exceptionalism,' 'Buddhist modernism,' and 'neural Buddhism' within the context of the dialogue between Buddhism and science. The paperback version of the book was mentioned as coming out in February (of the time of the recording).

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We went with it because it happens to be the title of a recent book whose author you're going to hear from today.

In his book, Evan takes a hard run at people who have profoundly influenced my thinking, including Sam Harris and Robert Wright, both previous guests on this show...

Yeah I wouldn't say I turned against it so in my book why I'm not a Buddhist I try to frame it in terms of this idea that I consider myself a friend of Buddhism and I want to be a good friend and so a good friend is someone who points out critical things that you don't want to let pass.

The last chapter of my book why I'm not a Buddhist kind of sets out that idea and uses it as a way for really trying to actually promote the Buddhism science conference but seen in this different cosmopolitan light...

yeah I'd be happy to so the book that we've mostly been having the conversation orbit around is a book that came out in 2020 called why I'm not a Buddhist I think it's just coming out in paperback this month February I think it's out in paperback...

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