Paperback : £26.23
Graham Priest presents an exploration of Buddhist metaphysics, drawing on texts which include those of Nãgãrjuna and Dõgen. The development of Buddhist metaphysics is viewed through the lens of the catu.sko.ti. At its simplest, and as it appears in the earliest texts, this is a logical/ metaphysical principle which says that every claim is true, false, both, or neither; but the principle itself evolves, assuming new forms, as the metaphysics
develops. An important step in the evolution incorporates ineffability. Such things make no sense from the perspective of a logic which endorses the principles of excluded middle and non-contradiction, which are standard fare
in Western logic. However, the book shows how one can make sense of them by applying the techniques of contemporary non-classical logic, such as those of First Degree Entailment, and Plurivalent Logic. An important issue that emerges as the book develops is the notion of non-duality and its transcendence. This allows many of the threads of the book to be drawn together at its end. All matters are explained, in as far as possible, in a way that is accessible to those with no knowledge of
Buddhist philosophy or contemporary non-classical logic.
Graham Priest presents an exploration of Buddhist metaphysics, drawing on texts which include those of Nãgãrjuna and Dõgen. The development of Buddhist metaphysics is viewed through the lens of the catu.sko.ti. At its simplest, and as it appears in the earliest texts, this is a logical/ metaphysical principle which says that every claim is true, false, both, or neither; but the principle itself evolves, assuming new forms, as the metaphysics
develops. An important step in the evolution incorporates ineffability. Such things make no sense from the perspective of a logic which endorses the principles of excluded middle and non-contradiction, which are standard fare
in Western logic. However, the book shows how one can make sense of them by applying the techniques of contemporary non-classical logic, such as those of First Degree Entailment, and Plurivalent Logic. An important issue that emerges as the book develops is the notion of non-duality and its transcendence. This allows many of the threads of the book to be drawn together at its end. All matters are explained, in as far as possible, in a way that is accessible to those with no knowledge of
Buddhist philosophy or contemporary non-classical logic.
Before the Beginning
0: Preface
Part I: Early India
1: General Background
2: Quintum Non Datur
3: Well-Founded Metaphysics
Part II: Later India
4: Emptiness
5: The Fifth Corner
6: Paradox and Ineffability
Part III: East Asia
7: And So On
8: The Golden Lion
9: Enlightenment
After the End
10: A Methodological Coda
Graham Priest has held chairs in philosophy in Australia, the UK,
and the USA, as well as visiting appointments in a number of other
countries, including Germany and Japan. He is currently
Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the Graduate Center, City
University of New York, and Boyce Gibson Professor Emeritus at the
University of Melbourne. He is known for his work on non-classical
logic, particularly in connection with dialetheism, on the history
of
philosophy, and on Buddhist philosophy. He has published articles
in nearly every major philosophy and logic journal, and is the
author of seven books, mostly with Oxford University Press.
This book is simply beautiful. With its elegant cover art and
comfortable size, it is a pleasure to look at, to hold, and to
read. Moreover, Priest ... does a lovely job of tracing the
evolution of Buddhism ... Highly recommended.
*G. Wrisley, CHOICE*
The Fifth Corner of Four may be most suitable for an audience
trained in the field of Philosophy rather than Buddhist
Studies.
*Ronald S. Green, Coastal Carolina University, Journal of Buddhist
Ethics*
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