Buddhisms and Deconstructions

Until recently, East-West comparative philosophy has been at best sporadic gestures marked by an imbalance in the way the Eastern and Western ideas were presented. A rather unsuccessful pattern in comparison was partly due to the socio-political and historical relationship between the East and West. The philosophical orientation of the West’s Continental metaphysical thinking and the nature of the project of modernity and enlightenment have also played a significant role in creating this pattern. It would be premature to say that such a practice has completely disappeared. However, along with the emergence of nonsubstantialist philosophy in the West, a new direction in comparative philosophy is definitely on the horizon. Buddhisms and Deconstructions, with its acknowledgment of the plurality of both Buddhist traditions and deconstructive philosophy, is an attempt to mark such a change. The thirteen essays in this volume attest to a new relationship between Eastern and Western thought, expand the scope of our understanding of each philosophical tradition, and thus offer a new framework for both.

Review(s)

“This set of essays crystallizes decades of important developments in the dialogue between Buddhism and postmodern thought, revealing their relevance to each other and to the future of philosophical reflection, East and West.” – John Makransky, Boston Col

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