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. This essential resource 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.

Stephen Green is an Independent Scholar, UK.