The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast

Episode 112, ‘The Philosophy of Buddhism’ with Jay Garfield (Part I - The Nature of Reality)

Oct 23, 2022

Join Professor Jay Garfield, a leading scholar in Buddhist philosophy, as he sheds light on the intricate teachings of Siddhārtha Gautama. They delve into the poignant themes of suffering, impermanence, and interdependence, questioning why these insights are often overlooked in Western philosophy. Garfield advocates for a reevaluation of how Buddhist thought can transform our understanding of happiness and morality. Prepare to explore the concept of emptiness and its role in cultivating a deeper appreciation of life.

55:04

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Episode guests

Jay Garfield

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Quick takeaways

Suffering, or dukkha, manifests in various forms including grief and the existential anguish stemming from global tragedies and impermanence.

Buddhist philosophy challenges Eurocentric narratives, advocating for a more inclusive philosophical community by recognizing non-Western thought and its significance.

The concept of emptiness in Buddhism emphasizes interdependence and the fluidity of identity, encouraging a profound connection to the web of existence.

Deep dives

The Nature of Suffering

Life is permeated by suffering, commonly referred to as dukkha in Buddhist philosophy. This suffering can manifest at three levels: the evident suffering we encounter, the suffering that arises from change, and the pervasive conditioning that underscores our lives. The first level includes obvious pain like grief or discomfort, where the awareness of global tragedies, such as wars or hunger, can deepen our existential anguish. The second and third levels highlight our struggle with impermanence and the realization that our desires and sense of self are connected to external factors, leading to a greater understanding of our interdependence and the true nature of reality.

Intro

2min

Reexamining Philosophy Through a Buddhist Lens

5min

Broadening Philosophy: The Buddhist Perspective

23min

Gratitude and the Second Noble Truth

11min

Understanding Emptiness and Suffering

10min

Exploring Buddhist Ethics and the Mystique of Philosophers

5min

A prick of the skin; the sorrow of grief; the inevitability of change; our dependence on the whim of the cosmos. Suffering bleeds into every aspect of our existence and, according to Siddhārtha Gautama (the Buddha), the anguish of our misfortune stems from our ignorance and confusion. If we were to see the world for how it really is – a place of impermanence, interdependence, and emptiness – then, according to Buddhism, we might free ourselves from illusion and discover the path to liberation and enlightenment. Today, this insight is shared by over half a billion people. Yet, most philosophy departments in Europe and America offer no courses in Buddhist philosophy and (within the leading journals) academic papers focusing on the central tenets of Buddhist philosophy of religion are vastly outweighed by their Abrahamic (and predominantly Christian) counterparts.

Professor Jay Garfield, our guest for this episode, is the exception to this rule. Championing the globalisation of philosophy and reshaping perceptions of Buddhist scholarship, Professor Garfield is Chair of Philosophy at Smith College in Massachusetts, Visiting Professor at Harvard Divinity School, Professor at Melbourne University, and adjunct Professor at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies. Named amongst the 50 most influential philosophers of the past decade – with over 30 books and over 200 publications – it is safe to say that Professor Garfield is one of the leading exponents of Buddhist philosophy in contemporary academia.

For Garfield, if philosophy won’t diversify, then let’s call it out for what it is: a colonial discipline that ignores the rich and relevant insights of non-Western thought. As philosophers, we cannot afford to ignore the metaphysical, ethical, epistemological, and existential insights of Buddhist scholarship. It’s time to engage with Buddhism, and rid ourselves of our prejudices, ignorance, and confusion. Buddhism is a philosophy of the present, not a philosophy of the past, and it’s time we treated it that way.

This episode is produced in partnership with The Global Philosophy of Religion Project at University of Birmingham, led by Yujin Nagasawa and funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Contents

Part I. The Nature of Reality

Part II. Further Analysis and Discussion

Links

Jay Garfield, Personal Website. (Website)

Jay Garfield, Engaging Buddhism. (Book)

Jay Garfield, Practicing without a License. (Essay)

Books by Jay Garfield. (Website)