How Things Are: An Introduction to Buddhist Metaphysics

Buddhist philosophers offer unique perspectives on ontological reduction, causality, and universals, with some defending presentism and others eternalism. Mark Siderits' "How Things Are" provides an introduction to these arguments for philosophers with little or no prior knowledge of the Buddhist tradition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

It is commonly acknowledged that Buddhists reject the notion of an inherent self. Nevertheless, Buddhist philosophers hold intriguing perspectives on diverse fundamental ontological issues. In particular, they offer valuable insights into ontological reduction and the essence of the causal relationship. Amidst the ongoing discussion surrounding global anti-realism, Buddhist philosophers have devised a novel approach to the radical nominalist denial of all universals and real resemblances. While some advocate for presentism, others propose eternalism. In his book "How Things Are," Mark Siderits presents the arguments developed by Buddhist philosophers on these and other topics. Those with an interest in metaphysics may discover fresh and intriguing perspectives on what the Buddhists had to say about their ideas. This work aims to introduce some of the most significant outcomes of Buddhist metaphysical inquiry to philosophers with limited or no prior knowledge of that tradition. While there exists a substantial body of scholarship on the Indian Buddhist philosophical tradition, it primarily focuses on historical details, often assumes prior knowledge of the major schools and figures, and extensively employs untranslated Sanskrit technical terms. What has been lacking in this area of philosophical inquiry is a study that facilitates the accessibility of the Buddhist tradition to philosophers who are engaged in solving metaphysical problems. This work fills that gap by shifting the focus away from history and texts and towards the metaphysical puzzles themselves, as well as potential solutions to these puzzles.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197606919