The nature of the Mādhyamika trick

Author: Huntington, C.

Source: Journal of Indian Philosophy, Volume 35, Number 2, April 2007 , pp. 103-131(29)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This paper evaluates several recent efforts to interpret the work of Nāgārjuna through the lens of modern symbolic logic. An attempt is made to uncover the premises that justify the use of symbolic logic for this purpose. This is accomplished through a discussion of (1) the historical origins of those premises in the Indian and Tibetan traditions, and (2) how such assumptions prejudice our understanding of Nāgā rjuna's insistence that he has no “proposition” (pratijñā). Finally, the paper sets forth an alternative interpretation that takes into account the literary dimensions of Nāgārjuna's writing.

Keywords: Madhyamaka; Symbolic Logic; Textual Exegesis; Doxography; Reason and Mysticism

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10781-007-9018-4

Affiliations: 1: Email: huntingtonc@hartwick.edu

Publication date: 2007-04-01