Re: MD People and Value in the MOQ

From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Wed Nov 24 2004 - 15:13:56 GMT

  • Next message: Scott Roberts: "Re: MD People and Value in the MOQ"

    Scott:

    > Buddhist philosophy does not quite say that the self is an illusion. What
    > is said is that the self, like everything else, does not have inherent
    > self-existence. That is, everything exists by being related to everything
    > else ("dependent co-origination" is the usual term), but does not exist by
    > itself. There is no way to state this in a way that conforms to
    > Aristotelian logic. Hence the need for the logic of contradictory identity.
    > The self exists by negating itself, as Nishida puts it. So, the phrase "the
    > self is an illusion" is just as much an error in Buddhist philosophy as
    > "the self exists". The traditional Buddhist formulation is the tetralemma:
    > One cannot say that the self exists. One cannot say that the self does not
    > exist. One cannot say that self both exists and does not exist. One cannot
    > say that the self neither exists nor does not exist.

    Thanks, Scott. Makes sense in a weird sort of way. What Buddhist
    philosophy does, in essence, is deny philosophy. "Thought is not a path to
    reality,." itself a thought that is neither real nor unreal, etc.

    Of such conundrums and paradoxes Buddhist "philosophy" appears to thrive.
    Like those baffling koans.

    Of course, the problem is such a philosophy hardly appeals to the
    practical-minded, like those who find it of value to survive in a world
    where lions, tigers and bears don't understand paradox and exhibit no
    sense of humor. (E.B. White wrote, "Paradox and humor get close to the
    fire of truth.")

    Be that as it may, you've nailed the Buddhist (and Pirsig's) notion of
    "self." I'm grateful for being enlightened. :-)

    Best,
    Platt
        

      

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