Richard Davidson & Theodore Zeldin: Philosophy of Meditation | Sternstunde Philosophie | SRF Kultur

Meditation classes are booming. And there are many studies showing that meditation helps us to deal with stress and calms us down. But does it also enhance our ability to empathise? Our topic of discussion with Richard Davidson, one of the central figures of the mindfulness movement, as well as with sceptic Theodore Zeldin.

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Meditation has become a megatrend. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Arianna Huffington, Tim Cook or Rupert Murdoch regularly meditate and companies like Google, Axpo or Novartis offer their staff meditation classes. Studies conducted by scientists like Richard Davidson, showing that regular meditation strengthens our immune system, improves our ability to concentrate or deal with stress and even makes us more empathetic, surely give the movement a boost.

Barbara Bleisch asks neuropsychologist Richard Davidson: Can meditation really improve the world or are we just shifting societal problems to an individual level by concentrating on self-improvement?

In a second part of the programme, renowned historian Theodore Zeldin from Oxford criticises meditation, calling it a tranquiliser which sedates us instead of making us want to discover the world. He recommends deep conversation rather than meditation; to focus on humanity’s problems rather than on one’s individual life. After all, life is not about staying calm, but about being curious and alive. But does one rule out the other?

Bibliography:
▪ Richard Davidson: Altered Traits. Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain and Body, Avery 2017.
▪ Theodore Zeldin: The Hidden Pleasures of Life. A New Way of Remembering the Past and Imagining the Future, MacLehose Press, 2015.

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Sternstunde Philosophie vom 22.04.2018
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