Selflessness, core of all major world religions, has neuropsychological connection

EurekAlert ^ | 17-Dec-2008

[CE2949BB]

COLUMBIA, Mo. – All spiritual experiences are based in the brain. That statement is truer than ever before, according to a University of Missouri neuropsychologist. An MU study has data to support a neuropsychological model that proposes spiritual experiences associated with selflessness are related to decreased activity in the right parietal lobe of the brain. The study is one of the first to use individuals with traumatic brain injury to determine this connection. Researchers say the implication of this connection means people in many disciplines, including peace studies, health care or religion can learn different ways to attain selflessness, to experience transcendence, and to help themselves and others.

[dr_lew]

All spiritual experiences are based in the brain. That statement is truer than ever before, according to a University of Missouri neuropsychologist.

Calling all philosophers! Calling all philosophers! Category error! Category error!

[allmost]

The brain is not meant to adapt to higher. It’s meant to fit your study. Hey. I know that guy...

[unspun]

cart before horse

[unspun]

All Internet experiences are based on the computer.

  ;-`

[rednesss]

"Selflessness, core of all major world religions"

Umm, yeah, except Islam. The Religion of Pieces.

[dr_lew]

Hey, I said calling all PHILOSOPHERS ;+}

[john in springfield]

All hamburger experiences are based on the bun.

[Swordfished]

“Selflessness” is always in some kind of self-interest. When it is not, it is random, unconscious behavior.

[unspun]

ALL YOUR SPIRIT ARE BELONG TO BRAIN !!

[unspun]

“Selflessness” is always in some kind of self-interest. When it is not, it is random, unconscious behavior.

What would be an example of selflessness as random, unconscious behavior?

[Chaffer]

Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it all before.

Man’s nothing more than a carbon-based, biological machine.
Synapses, neurons, chemicals. That’s it.

These people never give it up. Always pushing away what they
know is true, but will never admit:   that in reality life is complex
far beyond their understanding, and that it is the creation of an
infinite God.

[dr_lew]

What would be an example of selflessness as random, unconscious behavior?

How did I get dragged into this? Well, here I am. Unless I misunderstand the positor of this thesis, an example would be a molecule in a gas, colliding with another molecule. You see it would be acting "selflessly," as it has no "self".

The idea that "selflessness" is nothing more than a form of self-gratification is expressed, for example, in the epistolary novel, Dangerous Liasons, when a nobleman writes of an experience he had of dispensing largess, on a whim, to a peasant: "I never knew how much pleasure could be obtained from doing good." ( from memory )

[Swordfished]

What would be an example of selflessness as random, unconscious behavior?

This occurs whenever others benefit from your existence without you willing that benefit. Being robbed, unknowingly dropping a dollar bill, etc.

To me, "self" implies a will, a cognition. So anything "selfless" is empty and valueless, in my interpretation.

"Selfishness" is a larger term that can't be called good or evil. It is made up of many shades. It can be informed by good or evil intentions and lead to just or unjust actions.

[unspun]

To me, "self" implies a will, a cognition. So anything "selfless" is empty and valueless, in my interpretation.

Then I would suggest are assuming a literalistic interpretation of the word, not meant by that word for someone who pushes another out of the way of a passing bus on instinctive response, only to be hit himself, or a sidewalk counselor, etc.

You see the word and think "unconscious," but what others mean is sacrificial.

[Swordfished]

Then I would suggest are assuming a literalistic interpretation of the word, not meant by that word for someone who pushes another out of the way of a passing bus on instinctive response, only to be hit himself, or a sidewalk counselor, etc.

You see the word and think "unconscious," but what others mean is sacrificial.

Yes I think it's mainly just a question of semantics. But the point I'd like to make is that even that 'selfless' act of pushing another out of the way of the bus, knowing one will die instead, is done from a somewhat 'selfish' standpoint.

It was likely done out of a sense of individual-centered morality. We normally reap the psychological benefits of past good, moral decisions for the rest of our lives...the example of this lifesaver shows that it is probably the most selfless act because the self very quickly ceases and in doing so gets only infinitesimal satisfaction. Still, the moment of decision and ensuing actions provided the lifesaver with very vibrant seconds of satisfaction.

When we take actions that reinforce our own sense and system of morality it gives us psychological comfort and purpose, so even 'selfless' actions naturally benefit us as well - "win-win" actions.

[csense]

The authors were very careful not to assign causality. In fact, the term never even appears in the article.

Correlation does not infer causality. In fact, the alleged association could just as easily indicate an effect, or consequence of the experience itself.

That there is a physical component associated with spiritual experiences, or any experience for that matter, is not surprising to those of us who entertain the notion of duality...that the physical body is just a vessel for the spirit.