Metaphysics of Change and Continuity: Exactly What Is Changing and What Gets Continued?

Authors

  • Soraj Hongladarom

Abstract

This is a metaphysical and conceptual analysis of the concepts ‘change’ and ‘continuity’. The Buddhists are in agreement with Heraclitus that all are flowing and nothing remains. However, the Buddhists have a much more elaborate theory about change and continuity, and this theory is a key element in the entire Buddhist system of related doctrines, viz., that of karma and rebirth, the possibility of Liberation (nirvana) and others. The Buddhist emphasizes that change is there in every aspect of reality. A later teaching, known as the Doctrine of Emptiness, extends this idea even further to deny that there are essences to things which endure through all the changes. Since things are empty they can change, and continuity is possible, not because there is something that exists and endures, but only because there is change. This has many implications for the dialog between science and religion, especially the object/subject distinction.

Author Biography

Soraj Hongladarom

Center for Ethics of Science and Technology, Faculty of Arts,Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

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Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2007): January - June 2007

Section

Articles

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