Bimal Matilal seems to be the first modern scholar to employ the
term “Nyāya Realism,” and to introduce, discuss, and try to defend it. He
obviously employs this term instead of or in favour of “Naive Realism” or
“Direct Realism.” He juxtaposes Nyāya Realism to what he calls
“Buddhist Phenomenalism and idealism” or “Buddhist phenomenalistic
idealism” (favoured by Dharmakīrti). See Matilal 1986: 1–18 (introduction).
(Personal blog of Dorji Wangchuk (Kuliśeśvara) for philosophical reflection, speculation, and deliberation)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Sautrāntika Atomism
“Both Diṅnāga and Dharmakīrti seem to accept here the Sautrāntika
atomism along its theory of external realities but this may be only a tentative concession” (Matilal 1986: 366). “Buddhist atomism reduces the spatial
extension of external realities to atoms,
the infinitesimals” (Matilal 1986: 367). Some Tibetan sources distinguish
three conventions accepted by Diṅnāga and Dharmakīrti: (a) one
non-analytical world-conforming convention, and
two analytical-śāstric conventions, namely, (b) Sautrāntika’s
convention which conforms the conventional mode of
appearance (tha snyad snang tshul), and (c) Yogācāra’s convention
which conforms the conventional mode of existence (tha snyad gnas tshul).
Accordingly, Diṅnāga and Dharmakīrti, following conventional mode of
appearance would accept Sautrāntika atomism, but Yogācāra
idealism from the perspective of the conventional mode of existence. To
be noted is that most phenomena considered to be substantially existent by the
Vaibhāṣika school are said to be considered to be non-substantial (i.e.
only nominally existent) by the Sautrāntika school. See, for example, dKon
mchog ’grel (pp. 44.23–45.2).
Dharmakīrti’s Antirealism
Dharmakīrti’s
Antirealism:
Georges Dreyfus repeatedly speaks of “Dharmakīrti’s
Antirealism” (e.g. Dreyfus 1997: 251), or, also “Dharmakīrtian
Antirealism” (Dreyfus 1997: 447).
Externalism
Externalism:
Sara McClintock does not
seem to use the expression “Externalism” but uses “Externalist” for
Bahirarthavādin. See McClintock 2010: 86. By implication, one may
also use Externalism for Bahirarthavāda. Bimal Matilal is
wondering if we should consider “Externalism” instead of “Realism.” See
Matilal 1986: 370.
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