Refuting Critics

In the 1920's and early 1930's the logical positivists delivered what
they believed to be the coup de grace to metaphysics with their
"Verification Principal of Meaning". The metaphysician was declared to
be unwilling to face unpleasant truths, pretending that a different
sort of reality underlies the obvious facts - a reality not accessible
to the senses but which can be accessed by pure thinking. Metaphysical
statements were claimed to be in a category which was neither analytical
or empirical - so the positivists declared them to be "literally
senseless".

The Theory of Meditation on my web page logically grounds the Buddha's
central message. It brings metaphysics back into the real world.
The basic argument is as follows:
Thinking is the tool with which we satisfy our appetites.
Once appetites are satisfied that tool is laid aside.
But once appetites are satisfied we feel happier.
Therefore a relationship is established between a reduction in thinking
and an increase in happiness experienced.
Extrapolate this relationship and we get:
Perfect happiness (peace of mind) is complete abstention from thinking.
(The Buddhist equivalent is "Nirvana is the extinction of desire.)

Practicing reducing thought levels (meditation) while remaining alert
and aware does not involve a different way of knowing. It merely
requires a change in the object of our awareness, moving it from data
management (thinking) to a concentration on how we feel, once thinking
is over. It is a concentration on our mood. Once we become adept at
abstaining from thought, that mood will be one of extreme happiness.

(If you wish to read a more detailed argument, see my web page.)
TTFN
--
Colin Hankin: www.zenprime.demon.co.uk
zendan-at-zenprime-dot-demon-dot-co-dot-uk
None of the personal addresses on my web page work
.