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Journal article
Negative Dialectics in Nāgārjuna's Thought as a Critique of Substantialist Ontology in Contemporary Western Philosophy
Smaratungga: Journal of Education and Buddhist Studies, Vol.5(1), pp.53-66
2025
Abstract
This research examines the negative dialectic method in Nāgārjuna's thought as a philosophical approach to dismantling the ontological assumption of permanent existence (svabhāva), which is dominant in the Western philosophical tradition and tends to be essentialist and individualistic. This study was conducted as a response to the existential and social crises that arise from dualistic and non-relational ways of understanding reality. Using a qualitative approach, this study analyzes Nāgārjuna's key texts, namely the Mūlamādhyamakakārikā and Vigrahavyāvartani, through close reading techniques and critical discourse analysis to reveal the structure of the arguments and the philosophical assumptions embedded within them. The results show that Nāgārjuna's negative dialectic consistently rejects intrinsic existence and demonstrates that all phenomena are interdependent. This understanding gives rise to a compassion-based ethical perspective (karuṇā) as a logical implication of emptiness (śūnyatā), encouraging the formation of a more relational and empathetic consciousness. The implications of this research lie in its contribution to the development of a global ethic based on interdependence, which can be applied in social policy, education, and environmental conservation. This research asserts that emptiness is not nihilism but rather a philosophical foundation for building collective solidarity. The originality of this research lies in its attempt to connect Nāgārjuna's classical thought with contemporary challenges in a cross-cultural manner. This approach expands the role of negative dialectics as a tool for critiquing and transforming social consciousness towards a more inclusive and compassionate ethics and politics.
Details
- Title
- Negative Dialectics in Nāgārjuna's Thought as a Critique of Substantialist Ontology in Contemporary Western Philosophy
- Authors
- Shannon Brincat (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
- Publication details
- Smaratungga: Journal of Education and Buddhist Studies, Vol.5(1), pp.53-66
- Publisher
- Smaratungga Buddhist College, Center of Research and Publication
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.53417/sjebs.v5i1.144
- ISSN
- 2798-2831; 2807-4254
- Organisation Unit
- Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991128688702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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