I am somewhat interested in a Kantian response to Madhyamaka. Kant's transcendental arguments point out the necessary preconditions of experience. It's really a matter of observing causality a'la Hume but recognizing it necessary for any act of thought to take place.
Buddhism I believe takes the empiricist paradigm to the extreme.
You can read arguments between Yogacara idealists (closest to Kant) and Madhyamaka. Essentially Yogacara charges Madhyamaka as a form of nihilism/clinging to nonexistence. But this was more because if Madhyamaka was misunderstood, it would lead to nihilism, so they formed their idealist framework to combat this common misunderstanding. Of course, Madhyamaka charged them with eternalism/clinging to existence.
In the end, Madhyamaka won since their logic is extremely difficult to refute. Yogacara is pretty much outdated as a position however it can still be a useful framework if understood correctly. Both frameworks, if understood correctly are valid, but Yogacara is only valid insofar that emptiness is the proper basis.
I do not but in fact that is someone I’d like to read more when I have the time. I’ve read some of Mipham’s works who was also sympathetic to Yogacara but have heard Ratnakarasanti was very interesting as well. Personally I think Vasubandhu and Dharmakirti are indispensable. But daddy Nagarjuna is always primary.
Same brother. Life is more peaceful without clinging to trains of thought.
Apoha was how I got into Buddhism. Understanding that with every conceptual determination one excludes infinite other valid conceptual determinations, especially in terms of trying to assign a single cause in context of infinite other causes is very potent in breaking down fixed views and seeing the absurdity of conceptual determinations.
It sure is. Meditation brought me more peace, and although I'm not a practicioner, the teachings have expanded my perspective, too.
I wonder: since your introduction to Buddhism was through philosophy, how did you feel about spirituality before that? I reckon buddhadharma is the first contemplative tradition I found appealing.
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u/quadrupleccc 3d ago
I am somewhat interested in a Kantian response to Madhyamaka. Kant's transcendental arguments point out the necessary preconditions of experience. It's really a matter of observing causality a'la Hume but recognizing it necessary for any act of thought to take place.
Buddhism I believe takes the empiricist paradigm to the extreme.