Buddhism as a Science of the Mind? Carl Sagan’s Views Explored

Sagan was not entirely dismissive of spiritual traditions. In fact, one spiritual tradition that caught his attention was Buddhism. Sagan found aspects of Buddhism that aligned with his own values—especially its emphasis on inquiry, personal experience, and self-exploration. This might seem surprising at first glance. After all, how could a man so deeply rooted in science find common ground with a religion? But in Buddhism, Sagan saw something different: an openness to questioning, a lack of dogma, and a willingness to explore the nature of reality without demanding blind faith. This philosophical kinship between Sagan and Buddhism is where our exploration begins.