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The Philosophy and Physics of Relationality and Inherent Nature The Philosophy and Physics of Relationality and Inherent Nature: ĝnjQ\DWƗ and 6YDEKƗYDin Madhyamaka Buddhist Philosophy, Western Analytic Metaphysics, Philosophy of Science and Physics by Robert Alan Paul Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia February 2013 © Copyright by Robert Alan Paul, 2013. DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY INTERDISCIPLINARY PH.D. PROGRAM. The undersigned hereby certify that they have read and recommend to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for acceptance a thesis entitled “The Philosophy and Physics of Relationality and Inherent Nature: ĝnjQ\DWƗ and 6YDEKƗYDin Madhyamaka Buddhist Philosophy, Western Analytic Metaphysics, Philosophy of Science and Physics” by Robert Alan Paul in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Dated: February 18, 2013 External Examiner: _________________________________ Research Supervisor: _________________________________ Examining Committee: _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ . Departmental Representative: _________________________________ ii DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY DATE: February 18, 2013 AUTHOR: Robert Alan Paul TITLE: The Philosophy and Physics of Relationality and Inherent Nature: ĝnjQ\DWƗ and 6YDEKƗYDin Madhyamaka Buddhist Philosophy, Western Analytic Metaphysics, Philosophy of Science and Physics DEPARTMENT OR SCHOOL: Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program DEGREE: PhD CONVOCATION: May YEAR: 2013 Permission is herewith granted to Dalhousie University to circulate and to have copied for non-commercial purposes, at its discretion, the above title upon the request of individuals or institutions. I understand that my thesis will be electronically available to the public. The author reserves other publication rights, and neither the thesis nor extensive extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author’s written permission. The author attests that permission has been obtained for the use of any copyrighted material appearing in the thesis (other than the brief excerpts requiring only proper acknowledgement in scholarly writing), and that all such use is clearly acknowledged. _______________________________ Signature of Author iii DEDICATION PAGE. This dissertation is dedicated to the Buddhas and Acharyas of all Buddhist lineages from all cultures, and to their transcendent motivation to teach in order to free sentient beings from suffering, through transmission of wisdom and skillful means based on compassion. It is also dedicated to those seekers of truth in the disciplines of Western philosophy and physics: May all of their activities benefit beings. Lastly, this dissertation is dedicated to all who have interest in the path of study of the true nature of reality. May that interest be combined with compassion and skillful means in all their activities. This dissertation is especially dedicated to the health and well-being of my wife, Kathie, in this life and the next, and my children Stephen and Annie. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS. List of Tables .............................................................................................................. xi Abstract ............................................................................................................ xii List of Abbreviations Used. ......................................................................................xiii Acknowledgements.................................................................................................... xv Chapter One. Introduction............................................................................................ 1 A. Introduction.......................................................................................... 1 A.1. Summary Introduction............................................................... 1 A.2. Detailed Introduction................................................................. 7 A.3.Synopsis.................................................................................... 24 B. Appendices......................................................................................... 32 B.1. The classic Madhyamaka texts and commentaries .................. 32 B.2. Dimensions and components of inherent nature...................... 33 B.3. Some relevant schools of Buddhist thought ............................ 34 B.4. Dissertation structure ............................................................... 36 B.5. Explication of key concepts..................................................... 36 Chapter Two. Madhyamaka....................................................................................... 48 A. Introduction........................................................................................ 48 A.1.Introductory comments............................................................. 48 A.2.The positive thesis: relationality and their three components .. 53 B. Relationality....................................................................................... 65 C. The Madhyamaka causality arguments: Causality without powers... 73 v D. Mereological analysis: relations without relata?................................ 97 D.1.The Sevenfold reasoning .......................................................... 98 D.2.Neither one nor many ............................................................. 107 E. Impermanence and momentariness.................................................. 121 E.1.Views that are not explicitly Madhyamaka............................. 121 E.2.Inherent reductionism in these arguments .............................. 129 E.3.Madhyamaka critique of impermanence and momentariness. 131 F. Summary.......................................................................................... 136 Chapter Three. Metaphysics of Dependence. .......................................................... 142 A. Introduction...................................................................................... 142 B. Intrinsic Properties........................................................................... 147 B.1.5HOHYDQFHWR0DGK\DPDNDXQGHUVWDQGLQJRIVYDEKƗYD......... 148 B.2.Duplication 1........................................................................... 152 B.3.Abundant and sparse properties: physical relevance .............. 156 B.4.Natural properties, natural kinds and physical relevance ....... 162 B.5.Distrust of physics .................................................................. 165 B.6.Duplication 2........................................................................... 170 B.7.In virtue of .............................................................................. 177 B.8.Essential nature: necessity and internality.............................. 183 C. Conclusion ....................................................................................... 186 Chapter Four. Metaphysics of Composition ............................................................ 188 A. Introduction...................................................................................... 188 B. Metaphysical puzzles....................................................................... 194 vi C. The Special Composition Question ................................................. 205 D. Merricks’ causal redundancy ........................................................... 209 D.1.The form of the argument....................................................... 211 D.2.Composition as identity.......................................................... 215 D.3.Some responses to Merricks’ reductive eliminativism........... 219 D.4.“In defense of moderate-sized specimens of dry goods” ....... 221 E. Conclusion ....................................................................................... 226 Chapter Five. Metaphysics of Change ..................................................................... 229 A. Introduction...................................................................................... 229 B. Metaphysical theories of time and persistence ................................ 238 B.1.Summary of the terminology .................................................. 238 B.2.Explication of the terminology ............................................... 240 C. The problem of change and temporary intrinsics ............................ 256 D. Conclusion ....................................................................................... 271 Chapter Six. Physics Pluralism ................................................................................ 276 A. Introduction...................................................................................... 276 B. The Semantic Conception of Theories............................................. 289 B.1Introduction.............................................................................. 289 B.2Formalities ............................................................................... 292 B.3Extralinguistic theories ............................................................ 295 B.4. Objections and Replies .......................................................... 303 C. Theory systems ................................................................................ 306 C.1.The elements ........................................................................... 306 vii C.2.Anti-realist objections and responses: epistemic pluralism.... 315 C.3.Domains of applicability........................................................
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