Doing Metaphysics in a Diverse World
How We Make Sense of Things across Cultures
In a world increasingly interconnected and fractious, cross-cultural dialogue about metaphysics matters more than ever. Doing Metaphysics in a Diverse World introduces us to the multitude of ways philosophers make sense of things.
Drawing on China, Japan, the Indic world, Islamic and European thought as well as pre-colonial African and pre-Spanish Meso-American traditions, a team of leading philosophers and historians of ideas bring case studies, texts, themes and thinkers of very different thought worlds into conversation, including such topics as:
- Spinoza and Wang Bi on substance and change
- Kukai and Gregory Palamas on essence and energy
- Phenomenological echoes in the metaphysics of a Tantric system
- Sufi and Mayan reflection on the human role in constructing the cosmos
- Senghor and African art as expression of an original philosophy.
On the basis of this exceptionally rich and diverse canvas, they reflect on questions of enduring human significance: What is suchness? What do we mean by being, becoming and beyond? What is personhood? How do we name and order our world? How should we live? Crossing cultures, languages and history, the authors’ inclusive approach liberates metaphysics and comparative philosophy from the constraints of traditional Western interpretation.
Table of Contents
Foreword Adrian Moore
Introduction Stephen Green
PART 1
Chapter 1: Philosophising While Reading Texts Across Cultures Alex Samely
Chapter 2: Dao and The Way–A Comparative Perspective Xinzhong Yao
Chapter 3: Generative Harmony: Origins and Becoming in Confucian Metaphysics Chenyang Li
Chapter 4: The Problem of the Flying Arrow: Comparing Hui Shi and Zeno of Elea Using the Method of Sublation Jana S. Rošker
Chapter 5: Xunzi and Maimonides: Language, Metaphysics, Governance Nicholas Bunnin
Chapter 6: Metaphysics of Normative Values: Metaethical Constructivism and Xunzi Siufu Tang
Chapter 7: Spinoza and Wang Bi: Metaphysics of Ethics Nicholas Bunnin
Chapter 8: Personhood in Indian Metaphysics: Touch points with Other Traditions Gavin Flood
Chapter 9: Metaphysics of a Hindu Goddess Tradition and European Phenomenology Gavin Flood
Chapter 10: Brilliant Darkness: Apophatic Thinking in Early Christian and Indian traditions Ana- Maria Pascal and Diwakar Acharya
Chapter 11: Overcoming Negative Theology: Kukai and Palamason Essence and Energy Ana- Maria Pascal and Paulus Kaufmann
Chapter 12: God without Power – Kenosis and Tsimtsum as Two Paradigms of Divine Self- Restriction Agata Bielik-Robson
Chapter 13: Philosophy and African Art: Leopold Sedar Senghor and the Philosophy of Emotion and Rhythm Victor Emma-Adamah
Chapter 14: The Non-Human in African Metaphysics Elvis Imafidon
Chapter 15: The Divine Names: The Human Role in Construction of the Cosmos in the Maya Popol Vuh and Ibn Arabi’s Fusus al-Hikam Alexus McLeod
Chapter 16: Philosophy as a Way of Life: Metaphysics, Ethics, and Spiritual Exercises Sajjad Rizvi
PART 2
Chapter 1: Suchness Lucia Dolce
Chapter 2: Beyond, Being, and Becoming Agata Bielik-Robson
Chapter 3: Persons, Selves, and Metaphysics Ana-Maria Pascal and Gavin Flood
Chapter 4: Names, Naming, Unnamed, Unnameable Nicholas Bunnin and Sajjad Rizvi
FORWARD: CONTINUING TO DO METAPHYSICS IN A DIVERSE WORLD Stephen Green