Interdependence as Non-Obstruction

Philosophy Department Colloquium
Who: Nicholaos Jones, Professor of Philosophy at University of Alabama
When: Thursday, March 12th, 4:00-5:30pm
Where: Virtue Room, the Maples

Abstract: Are all things interdependent? I examine two approaches to an affirmative answer. The first derives interdependence from a kind of cosmic organicism. I trace some brief history for this approach, especially in relation to modern interpretations of Huayan Buddhism and the metaphor of Indra’s net. I also critique the approach, on both philosophical and moral grounds. I introduce a second approach, which derives interdependence from a kind of cosmic laissez-fairism. I argue that this second approach is more plausible than the first.