Why Buddhism is True

The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment

Robert Wright

In this insightful book, journalist Robert Wright explores the basic ideas of Buddhism and shows they not only hold up against modern science but are confirmed by it. In his hands, this information manages to be both illuminating and inspiring.

Lest you worry this might all be too groovy for you, embrace this: The author is a science writer. He’s curious, he writes well, and he wants you to understand what he’s saying — but there’s no agenda here. He doesn’t even claim to be a Buddhist, although he practices Buddhist meditation.

Instead, he grabs hold of somewhat transcendent ideas — something you might hear in a yoga class — and then examines those ideas through the lens of evolutionary biology and psychology. His premise is that the early Buddhists had a solid read on the human condition and what to do about it — and science pretty much backs them up.

For example, Buddhism says things like, ‘Humans can’t be satisfied,’ and the author points to evolutionary psychology, which agrees. Humans expect more happiness than they will get from attaining their goals. Gratification evaporates, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting. Evolution has made us that way. It would be catastrophic for the species if we evolved to eat a big meal and be satiated forever. We are disposed to be hungry, not just for food, but all things.

This kind of gentle rigor is applied to ideas like ‘your self is an illusion,’ and ‘humans often fail to see the world clearly, and this can lead them to suffer’ and more. Ultimately, this book lands in a good place: a place of gratitude and empathy and togetherness and hope. What could be more rational than that?

These feelings — anxiety, despair, hatred, greed — have elements of delusion, elements you’d be better off without. And if you think you would be better off, imagine how the whole world would be. After all, feelings like despair and hatred and greed can foster wars and atrocities. So if what I’m saying is true — if the basic sources of human suffering and human cruelty are indeed in large part the product of delusion — there is value in exposing this delusion to the light. — Robert Wright

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