Lion, Bat, Octopus, Buddha, what have them in common ？

Summary :

Understanding of other beings, from animals to Buddha, is a matter of degree, not a binary state. Although philosophers like Wittgenstein, Nagel, and Montgomery, emphasizing that subjective experiences shape understanding. But, we can still have some degree of understanding of other creatures through interaction and empathy. One should practice the Eightfold Path, particularly “Right Mindfulness”, in order to grasp the Buddha’s perception of the world

Wittgenstein: if a lion could talk, we couldn’t understand him”

The main idea behind this statement is that even if a lion could talk, we as humans would not be able to comprehend its language.

• Even if biologist can “decode” voices of lions to some extent by observing the lions and correlating certain sounds with certain behaviors. But this is a far from understanding a complex, abstract system of communication like human language.
• If a lion could talk, it would have its own unique language game, shaped by its experiences, instincts, and perspective as a lion. Since humans do not share this experiences, we don’t understand their language game, it would be impossible for us to understand the lion’s communication.

“What is it like to be a bat?” is a paper by American philosopher Thomas Nagel, first published in 1974.

• It has become a classic in the philosophy of mind. Nagel uses the example of a bat, a creature whose sensory experiences are significantly different from human experiences, to argue that subjective experiences – often referred to as “qualia” – are an essential component of consciousness and that they resist objective scientific explanation.
• Nagel uses this argument to challenge the physicalist or reductionist view of the mind, which suggests that all mental phenomena can be fully explained in terms of physical processes. According to Nagel, even if we could describe all the physical processes in a bat’s brain that occur when it echolocates, that still wouldn’t tell us what it’s like to perceive the world through echolocation

Recently, I read the book

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery

• It is a fascinating account of the author’s personal experiences with octopuses at Boston’s New England Aquarium and in their natural habitats. She forms a relationship with the octopuses there, where she is struck by the creature’s intelligence and emotional complexity. She is further captivated by their ability to recognize and interact with individual humans and their capacity for problem-solving.
• Montgomery not only provides a comprehensive look at one of the world’s most intriguing creatures but also challenges the reader to reconsider what it means to think, feel, and be conscious. The book is a captivating blend of personal narrative, scientific exploration, and philosophical contemplation, encouraging readers to appreciate the complexity and wonder of life in all its forms.

Wittgenstein asserted that we couldn’t understand a lion, while Nagel believed we couldn’t perceive the world as a bat does. Montgomery, on the other hand, encouraged us to better understand octopuses and other creatures.

I disagree with Wittgenstein’s black-and-white approach to understanding. I propose that “understanding or not” doesn’t ask for a binary answer, but rather it should be a matter of degree. Indeed, we cannot fully embody a lion’s experiences, but we can “understand” a lion to a certain extent. Take Dean Schneider, for example, a Swiss animal sanctuary founder and social media personality. He frequently posts videos of his interactions with lions on Instagram and YouTube . It would seem incorrect to assert that he lacks understanding of lions. Furthermore, any dog owner would claim to understand their pet at least to some degree. Perhaps on the spectrum of understanding, lions sit on the left side and dogs on the right. The difference lies in the degree of understanding.

Likewise, even though we cannot perceive the world exactly as a bat does, this does not mean we can’t attain a similar perception – it’s simply a matter of degree.

As Montgomery suggested, we should strive to comprehend other creatures and see the world through their eyes.

But what about understanding how Buddha perceives the world?

Buddhism teaches us that everyone has the potential to become a Buddha, but we are not Buddhas yet.

The experiential gap between us and Buddha is likely greater than that between us and a lion.

The difference in how we perceive the world and how Buddha perceives the world is probably larger than the gap between our perception and a bat’s.

In Buddhism, beings in different realms of existence perceive the world differently due to their karma.

For example, Devas (Heavenly beings) perceive water as a luxurious substance, associated with bliss and divine pleasure.

Humans see water as a life-sustaining necessity.

Hungry ghosts, perceive water as flames. They are extreme thirst and hunger. They are unable to enjoy or benefit from water due to their karma.

As aspiring Buddhas, how can we grow closer to the Buddha’s perception?

Studying Buddhist scriptures can help, but it’s far from sufficient.

• As the analogy goes, “Fingers pointing at the moon are not the moon.” This metaphor serves as a reminder that teachings and words (the finger) are tools to help us understand and experience enlightenment or truth (the moon). They are not the truth itself. The teachings are not enlightenment; they merely guide us in the right direction. The key is not to get lost in words or symbols but to use them as guides to discover the deeper truth or reality they point towards.

To understand “Buddhahood” (enlightenment) and perceive the world through the eyes of Buddha (upon achieving enlightenment), one should practice The Eightfold Path, a core Buddhist teaching outlining the path to enlightenment.

It’s a practical guide to leading a moral and ethical life while providing a roadmap to spiritual liberation.

The Eightfold Path consists of:

• Right understanding: Having a correct understanding of the Four Noble Truths, the foundation of Buddhist philosophy.
• Right thought: Cultivating positive thoughts and attitudes, such as compassion, kindness, and equanimity.
• Right speech: Speaking honestly, gently, and without causing harm.
• Right action: Refraining from harmful actions, such as killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.
• Right livelihood: Earning a living in a way that is honest and does not harm others.
• Right effort: Making an effort to overcome negative thoughts and behaviors, and to cultivate positive ones.
• Right mindfulness: Paying attention to the present moment, without judgment.
• Right concentration: Developing the ability to focus the mind on a single object or thought.

Among these, “Right Mindfulness,” achieved through meditation, can bring you closer to the feelings and perception of being a Buddha. However, without following the other seven paths, achieving “Right Mindfulness” is unlikely.

So, what do a lion, a bat, an octopus, and Buddha have in common?

• The lion, bat, octopus, and Buddha all share the characteristic of perceiving and understanding the world in ways that are distinct from our own.
• But through Right Mindfulness, we can draw closer to enlightenment, i.e., Buddha.

The core takeaway is that the difference between human perception and the perception of other creatures is not binary or black-and-white. Rather, it is a matter of degree. We can narrowing the experiential gaps through interactions, mindfulness, and empathy.

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