Is this right livelihood?
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:17 am
Would participating in a research study and receiving a compensation fall within right livelihood?
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Oh, and of course the basic Five Precepts."A lay follower should not engage in five types of business. Which five? Business in weapons, business in human beings, business in meat, business in intoxicants, and business in poison."
— AN 5.177
Only if the psychology studies are manipulative or harmful, for example some secret drug experiments or experiments that cause permanent damage.ccharles wrote:Would participation in psychology studies fall within "business in human beings"?
Not at all! As you said, that refers specifically to slavery, prostitution, or other forms of dealing in flesh. Psychology can be very helpful if done in a compassionate and responsible way, so I would say that there is absolutely no problem so long as the experiment is not designed to hurt anyone or to cause suffering.ccharles wrote:Would participation in psychology studies fall within "business in human beings"?
If you are in doubt, share the type of study. *Study* is such a vague term, it could be anything.ccharles wrote:Would participation in psychology studies fall within "business in human beings"? Or is this referring to something more like prostitution, slavery, etc?