

Mark Siderits: Buddhism as Philosophy (#152)
Oct 22, 2022
In this conversation, Mark Siderits, a seasoned philosopher and translator with expertise in Asian and Western philosophy, discusses the interplay between Buddhist thought and contemporary philosophy. He reflects on his journey influenced by figures like D.T. Suzuki and Wittgenstein. Mark tackles complex themes such as metaphysics, the tensions between modern Buddhism and cognitive sciences, and Nagarjuna's insights on motion compared to Zeno's paradoxes. The dialogue also delves into the nature of impermanence, consciousness, and the evolution of Buddhist philosophy amid modern scientific insights.
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Mark's Philosophical Journey
- Mark Siderits got interested in Buddhist philosophy through D.T. Suzuki and Alan Watts during his teenage years.
- His philosophical journey was influenced by encountering Wittgenstein's ideas, which connected to Buddhist notions of non-self.
Linking Buddhist and Wittgensteinian Thought
- Abhidharma philosophy aligns with Wittgenstein's early Tractatus phase as a search for fundamental constituents.
- Madhyamaka philosophy parallels Wittgenstein's later work focusing on language shaping our view of existence.
Philosophical Growth Through Debate
- Indian Buddhist philosophers improved their philosophy by debating non-Buddhist schools in royal courts.
- Cross-tradition debates pushed Buddhists to refine argument techniques and sharpen their philosophical tools.