History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China HPI 44 - It All Depends - Nagarjuna on Emptiness
Jun 11, 2017
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Red Door Illustration
- The hosts open with the Rolling Stones lyric about a red door to contrast perceived intrinsic properties with relational views.
- This sets up Nāgārjuna's challenge to the idea that properties like redness exist independently.
Everything Is Dependently Originated
- Nāgārjuna rejects independent, freestanding things and properties in favor of dependent origination.
- He summarizes this: "whatever is dependently coarisen that is explained to be emptiness."
Empty Means No Self-Nature
- Emptiness (sva-svabhāva absence) means lacking an independent self-nature that exists apart from relations.
- Thus redness or doorhood do not subsist intrinsically but arise only relationally.