[MD] Buddhism's s/o

[MarshaV]

To recap why I think Buddhism cannot be used as an exception to 
the Intellectual Level being SOM, I offer these to quotes that indicate
that Buddhism used logic and the scientific method for an objective
study of 'Mind'.  


"... So at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the Buddha's path, 
observation plays an extremely important role.  This is similar to the role that 
objective observation plays in the scientific tradition which teaches that when 
we observe a problem we first formulate a general theory followed by specific 
hypothesis. We find the same thing happening in the teaching of the Four 
Noble Truths and here the general theory is that all things have a cause, 
and the specific hypothesis is that the causes of suffering are craving and 
ignorance."

"   Experience in Buddhism is comprised of two components - the objective 
component and the subjective component.  In other works, the things around 
us and we the perceivers.  Buddhism is noted for its analytical method in the 
area of philosophy and psychology.  What we mean by this is that the Buddha 
analyzes experience into various elements, the most basic of these being the 
five Skandhas or aggregates - form, feeling, perception, mental formation or 
volition and consciousness.   The five aggregates in turn can be analyzed 
into the eighteen elements (Dhatus) and we have a still more elaborate 
analysis in terms of seventy two elements.  This method is analytical 
as it breaks up things.  We are not satisfied with a vague notion of experience, 
but we analyze it, we probe it, we break it down into its component parts like 
we break down the chariot into the wheels, the axle and so on.  And we do 
this in order to get an idea how things work. When we see for instance a 
flower, or hear a piece of music, or meet a friend, all these experiences 
arise as a result of components.  This is what is called the analytical approach.  
And again this analytical approach is not at all strange to modern science and 
philosophy."


   (Peter D. Santina, 'Fundamentals of Buddhism',BAUS)
 
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