Yamaneko Project FAQ

Is this an attempt to develop a new type of philosophy?

Our main goal is to investigate the structure of reality, as it shows itself in our lives. Our method is inspired by the scientific approach, in which there are, ideally, no dogmas. We are looking for insights gained through experiments. We do not aim at building a new system or framework, nor do we encourage unreflected acceptance of existing systems and frameworks. One could call our approach philosophical with the original meaning of the word: love of wisdom/insight.

Is this an attempt to reconcile science and religion?

Not in the sense of trying to connect specifics, such as trying to show a link between the Big Bang and Genesis or other creation myths. Rather, we are interested in a pragmatic comparison between the active research styles in science and in contemplative approaches to the study of reality. You could say that we are interested in `roots, not fruits'.

Do I have to be a scientist in order to understand this approach?

Although a hands-on familiarity with some kind of scientific research definitely will help, it is by no means necessary in order to appreciate the kind of investigations we are involved in. Most important is an interest in the way science works and in the type of results it has obtained, as well as a willingness to critically investigate your own life and the assumptions it is based on.

Do I need contemplative experience to understand this approach?

Here, too, some familiarity with contemplative traditions will definitely help in appreciating the direction in which we are searching. However, no formal training of any kind is a prerequisite. In fact, such type of training is as likely to hinder as to help truly interdisciplinary research. More important is a total openness to the possibility that reality is in fact far more rich, deep and diverse than we think, and that we, too, are open-ended in ways that we cannot even begin to imagine.

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