Visions of Compassion

'Science and Compassion' examines how the views of Western behavioural science hold up to scrutiny by Tibetan Buddhists. An essay by the Dalai Lama reveals his views on human nature, offering a useful exposition of the Buddhist point of view.

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This book examines how Western behavioral science--which has generally focused on negative aspects of human nature--holds up to cross-cultural scrutiny, in particular the Tibetan Buddhist celebration of the human potential for altruism, empathy, and compassion. Resulting from a meeting between the Dalai Lama, leading Western scholars, and a group of Tibetan monks, this volume includes excerpts from these extraordinary dialogues as well as engaging essays exploring points of difference and overlap between the two perspectives.