Write a 12-15 page essay (double spaced) on Norenzayan and the Dalai Lama. Utilize this thesis to formulate your paper. Thesis: This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of Ara Norenzayan and the

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Thesis

This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of Ara Norenzayan and the Dalai Lama's perspectives concerning the role of consciousness and empathy in relation to religious attitudes. The two scholars hold different views regarding the evolutionary basis of religious emotions, with the Dalai Lama suggesting that natural selection cannot account for such emotions as compassion, whereas Norenzayan et al. contend that cultural evolution and natural selection can. Norenzayan emphasizes the importance of culture and socialization in shaping religious attitudes and thinking, whereas the Dalai Lama highlights the significance of individual contemplative practices in fostering these processes. Despite both scholars acknowledging the criticality of cultivating cognitive processes for personal and social transformation, this paper posits that the Dalai Lama's approach offers a more comprehensive and holistic path to nurturing consciousness and empathy through contemplative practices that are grounded in religious traditions, rendering it the more optimal option.

Bloom, Paul. "Religion, Morality, Evolution." Annual Review of Psychology, vol. 63, 2012, pp. 179-199, https://minddevlab.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/religion-morality-evolution.pdf

Bloom, presents arguments for both Norenzayan's and the Dalai Lama's perspectives on the role of consciousness and empathy in relation to religious attitudes. He asserts that cultural and natural evolution have contributed to the development of religious emotions and attitudes, which aligns with Norenzayan's claim. However, Bloom also emphasizes the importance of individual contemplative practices in fostering moral decision-making and empathy, which aligns with the Dalai Lama's perspective. While Bloom does not explicitly favor one scholar's perspective over the other, the paper supports the thesis's argument for the superiority of the Dalai Lama's approach to nurturing consciousness and empathy through contemplative practices grounded in religious traditions.

"Healing Ecology”. A Buddhist Perspective on the Eco-Crisis with David Loy." YouTube, uploaded by Theosophical Society in America, 13 August 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5lxGeRx3CM.

This video offers a Buddhist perspective on the ecological crisis and how it relates to our interconnectedness with the natural world. The Dalai Lama's idea that evolution is influenced by consciousness and intentionality offers a more thorough and all-encompassing knowledge of the evolutionary process. The video supports the thesis that appreciating the interconnection of all living things in the web of life leads to a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of evolution. The insights shared in the video can help inform a more sustainable and compassionate relationship with the environment.

Purzycki, Benjamin G., and Richard Sosis. "The Religious System as Adaptive Cognitive Flexibility: Public Displays and Acceptance." Journal of Cognition and Culture, vol. 7, no. 3, 2007, ch. 17, pp. 243-254, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Benjamin-Purzycki/publication/227229494_The_Religious_System_as_Adaptive_Cognitive_Flexibility_Public_Displays_and_Acceptance/links/00b49519524433514d000000/The-Religious-System-as-Adaptive-Cognitive-Flexibility-Public-Displays-and-Acceptance.pdf?origin=publication_detail

This research paper proposes that religious beliefs and practices have evolved as adaptive cognitive systems to navigate social environments, which aligns with Norenzayan's view on the role of cultural and natural selection in developing religious emotions and attitudes. The paper supports Norenzayan's perspective by presenting evidence of the importance of public religious displays and acceptance of supernatural beliefs in facilitating cognitive flexibility, which is essential for navigating diverse social situations. In contrast, while the Dalai Lama's perspective highlights the significance of individual contemplative practices in fostering moral decision-making and empathy, the paper suggests that it may not be as effective in navigating social environments as Norenzayan's approach, which emphasizes the role of culture and socialization in shaping religious attitudes and thinking.

Ricard, Matthieu. "Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World." YouTube, uploaded by Bay Area Book Festival, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PPwX1MwBZ0

In this video, Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk and scientist, discusses the transformative power of compassion and altruism. He draws on research from psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy to demonstrate how cultivating these qualities can lead to personal and societal change. Ricard argues that altruism and compassion are not innate but can be developed through training and practice, echoing the Dalai Lama's emphasis on individual contemplative practices. He also emphasizes the importance of empathy and interconnectedness in shaping our worldview and behavior, aligning with Norenzayan's focus on culture and socialization. Overall, this video supports the thesis by highlighting the importance of cultivating consciousness and empathy for personal and social transformation, and how this can be achieved through contemplative practices rooted in religious traditions, favoring the Dalai Lama's approach.

"The Four Noble Truths." Access to Insight, edited by John T. Bullitt, 30 November 2013, https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/waytoend.html.

This article provides a thorough overview of Buddhism's core principles with an emphasis on the nature of suffering and the way to its removal. The Four Noble Truths, commonly regarded as the foundational ideas of Buddhist philosophy, are discussed in detail. By highlighting the value of self-examination in understanding the cause of suffering and how to alleviate it, the article highlights the pragmatic and empirical nature of Buddhism. It emphasizes how important it is to develop wisdom, compassion, and mindfulness as you work toward liberation from suffering.

"The Genius of Charles Darwin." YouTube, uploaded by WADYA Chanel, 17 May 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knln3m-YsKs.

This is a three-part documentary series presented by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. The series examines the theory of evolution, including its historical context, evidence, and implications. Through interviews with scientists and examples from nature, the series explores the mechanisms of evolution and debunks creationist arguments against it.

"The Nature of Consciousness." YouTube, uploaded by Dalai Lama, 2 Mar. 2020 https://youtu.be/NjoTszyjvC8

In the four sessions of this public lecture, the Dalai Lama discusses the nature of consciousness and how it relates to the world around us. He argues that consciousness is not limited to individual beings but is interconnected with everything else in the universe.

Tsujimura, Masahide. "The Politics of 'Compassion' of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama: Between 'Religion' and 'Secularism'." The Journal of Religious Ethics, vol. 40, no. 3, 2012, pp. 422-444.

Tsujimura examines the political dimensions of the Dalai Lama's approach to compassion, which he describes as being situated between "religion" and "secularism." He argues that the Dalai Lama's recognizes the importance of compassion in shaping our relationships with others and the world around us, and this in turn can have an impact on the course of evolution.

Urbaniak, J., 2014, ‘Suffering in the mystical traditions of Buddhism and Christianity’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 70(1), Art. #2117, pages 1-9. http:// dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts. v70i1.2117

Urbaniak concours with the Dalai Lama's assertion about evolution by emphasizing how Buddhist and Christian viewpoints on suffering and evolution take into account the relevance of consciousness and intentionality in forming the human experience. His article lends credence to the notion that to fully comprehend the mechanisms of evolution, one must recognize the interdependence of all living entities in the biosphere. Furthermore, Urbaniak contributes to the conversation on suffering, by examining how various religious traditions view and explain it.