Mindfulness Meditation and Autonomy: A Buddhist Theory of Free Will

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I argued in my dissertation that the 'hard' metaphysical problem of free will may be explained in simple, metaphysically 'easy' causal/functional terms as a product of the mechanics of metacognitive mental causation: There seems to be a causal connection between the extent to which the mind can "go meta-", or loop back in reflectively on its own processes (e.g., think about its thoughts, prefer its desires, etc.), and self-regulation (autonomy, free will), evident in sensory-motor agility, biofeedback, and a host of related phenomena of an equally mundane nature.

The present research explores two new directions to this line of thought: (1) the extent to which mindfulness and other meditation practices increase self-regulation or autonomy, and (2) the extent to which one may develop a cogent version of a Buddhist theory of free will based on these ideas.

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Education

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• aaari
• aaari-cuny
• cuny
• asian
• american
• research
• institute
• city
• university
• of
• new
• york
• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• and
• Autonomy
• Buddhist
• Theory
• Free
• Will
• rick
• repetti
• kingsborough
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• college
• kbcc
• kcc

[MrGunwitch]

Rick, the Buddha didn't describe 'enlightenment' for 50 years, he described the 'PATH to enlightnement' for 50 years. This is an important distinction which you have clearly missed.

The experiential nature of Buddhist practice must be emphasised, particularly when lecturing to a group of academics.