Searle and Buddhism on the Mind and the Non-Self

Today, 03:28 PM

In works such as Rediscovery of the Mind, and Mind, Language and Society, Searle holds famously that the mind is a biological phenomenon. He states: “Consciousness is, above all, a biological phenomenon. Conscious processes are biological processes.” I would like to argue in this paper that Searle’s view here does not necessarily contradict the Buddhist conception of mind and its close corollary the doctrine of Non-Self (anaatman), the idea of the chain series of causes and effects that all together constitute a purported entity designable as the mind, self or consciousness without thereby an inherent, enduring Self being posited. Furthermore, except for the Buddhist insistence on the actuality of the process of reincarnation, which Searle does not accept, the two positions share quite a lot in common. Two traditions of Buddhism, namely that of the Theravaada Abhidharma and the Mahaayaana, will be referred to in order to substantial the claims of Buddhism in relation with an analysis of Searle's thought on the matter.

Searle’s view of the mind does not necessarily contradict the Buddhist teaching because Searle seems to be talking only about mind in its concrete manifestation, for example as the source of thinking, feeling, etc. Consciousness in Searle and in Buddhism in this case share many same characteristics together, most notably of which is that the content of consciousness is always changing and is intentional, and that one cannot find a deep core, the ‘homunculus’ inside the body or the brain. Another similarity between Searle and the Buddhist conception is that both reject Cartesian dualism.

However, there is one issue where Searle and Buddhism appears to be difference from each other and at first the gap seems so vast it is not reconcilable. The difference lies in the Buddhist teaching on the identity of the person or on the continuity of causal chains that constitute one’s karmic fruits that, depending on some important conditions, continues after bodily death. According to the scientific world view that Searle subscribes to, the mind is a function of the brain and consequently does not seem to survive the death of the latter. Nevertheless, I intend to argue here that Searle’s view does not necessarily preclude the possibility that consciousness might exist in some form after death of the brain. If he is willing to expand his epistemological apparatus somewhat and include the possibility of what Buddhists have consistently taken to be a source of knowledge, then his view and the Buddhist would be remarkably similar.

The 3rd Asia-Pacific Computing and Philosophy Conference

THE 3RD ASIA-PACIFIC COMPUTING AND PHILOSOPHY CONFERENCE

FEBRUARY 15, 16, 17, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY

CALL FOR PAPERS

THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMPUTING AND PHILOSOPHY (IACAP,
www.ia-cap.org) is inviting interested parties to submit abstract
papers for its 3rd Asia-Pacific Computing and Philosophy Conference.
IACAP conferences are high profile conferences whose purpose is to
draw together people from variety of disciplines to discuss issues in
the intersection between computing and philosophy.

Previous conference topics included, among other things, the following:

Artificial Intelligence/Cognitive Sciences
Artificial Life/Computer Modeling Biology
Computer Ethics
Computer Mediated Communication
Culture and Society
Distance Education and Electronic Pedagogy
Electronic Publishing
Logic and Logic Software
Metaphysics (Distributive Primacy, Emergent Properties, Formal
Ontology, Network Structure)
Electronic Publishing
Robotics
Virtual Reality
Computational Logics
Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Problem of Consciousness

Topics other than those mentioned may be submitted

ABSTRACTS DUE: DECEMBER 16, 2006 (new deadline!)

Abstracts should be limited to no more than 1 to 2 pages, single
spaced and should include the author's name, institutional
affiliation and contact details (mailing address, phone numbers, fax,
e-mail address). They should be sent via email to
iacap_up@yahoo.com.ph or dmagat47@gmail.com. Please indicate "3rd
IACAP Abstract as Subject in the email. Authors of accepted abstracts
will be notified through their email, or other contact details.

REGISTRATION FOR THE CONFERENCE COMMENCES ON AUGUST 30, 2006
CONFERENCE FEE: $120; BUT $110 for early registrants before November
30, 2006.

Please contact the organizing commitee through iacap_up@yahoo.com.ph
or dmagat47@gmail.com

THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
3RD AP-IACAP CONFERENCE
DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY

DAN REYNALD R. MAAGAT dmagat47@gmail.com; dmagat47@yahoo.com
Professor/Chaiman
Department of Philosophy
University of the Philippines
Diliman Quezon City
Philippines