Logical Analyses of Vipassanā Meditation

Bibliographic Data

ID16766350
AuthorsC P Hertogh (0000-0002-6778-4837, Russian State Agrarian Correspondence University, corresponding author)
Year2018
Volume19
Issue2
Pages251-274
Publication date2018-07-03
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueContemporary Buddhism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1463-9947 • E-ISSN: 1476-7953
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14639947.2018.1498604
OpenAlexW2897832391
LanguageEN
References cited26

In this paper we propose logical analyses of Vipassanā Meditation as modus ponens or universal instantiation, as based upon identification, analysis, and interpretation of the meditation as a (spiritual) thought experiment (STE like e.g. huàtóus and kōans in Chan and Zen).*The analyses consist in completing the unfinished enthymematic argument of the Sutta-nipāta by explication of hidden major. We speculate the thought experiment inference might be brought about by a faculty like mindfulness. The thought experiment analyses link the meditation to global cross-cultural theories and arguments in philosophy as Ibn Sīnā’s Flying Man and, notably, René Descartes’s Cogito. Last, we will give some indications how Vipassanā Meditation may be explained with help of western theories of consciousness

Buddhism · Cogito ergo sum · Consciousness · Epistemology · Explication · Inference · Intentionality · Linguistics · Meditation · Modus ponens · Mysticism · Theology · Islamic Thought and Society Studies · Medieval and Classical Philosophy · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Philosophy · Psychology