Journal of the Philosophy and Religion Society of Thailand

Book Review: Philosophical Representation: Studies in Attitudinal Instrumentalism (By Ori Simchen)

2023-12-30T14:42:41+07:00

The goal of Ori Simchen's most recent book (Simchen, 2023) is to discuss his ideas regarding the terminology we employ when studying various subjects. In language, words are supposed to be representations of actual natural things.

Escape from States of Loss and Suffering (apāya) through Releasing the Fetters (saṁyojana)

2022-12-04T15:23:02+07:00

This work is proposing the path leading to the cessation of suffering which aims to study the concept of the fetters (saṁyojana) in Theravāda scriptures, to study and analyze the principles, the practice of the path, and the practices of systematically releasing the fetters (saṁyojana) leading to escape from states of loss and suffering (apāya) to enlightenment (nibbāna). The following are the findings: the Buddha handles the defilements by classifying these into a tenfold group called saṁyojana (fetters) that can be destroyed through the practice of the noble eightfold path. The practices are mental development (citta-bhāvanā) which is composed of tranquility development (samatha-bhāvanā) and insight development (vipassanā-bhāvanā). The four foundations of mindfulness are the crucial means to realize the noble eightfold path and to practice for releasing the fetters. The noble eightfold path is to be practiced in accordance with the teaching of forest monks that of Luang Pu Mun and Phra Ajahn Chah in Thai society. Also relevant is the dhamma and discipline will be the teacher after the Buddha passed away. In this dhamma and discipline the noble eightfold path is found, and in it, are to be found disciples of the first, second, third and fourth grade. If the monks were to live the life to perfection, the world would not lack for arahants.

Keywords: Escape, States of Loss and Suffering, Releasing, Fetters, Noble eightfold path, Foundation of mindfulness, Enlightenment, Nibbāna.

Openness and the Public Space: A Buddhist Perspective on Deliberative Democracy

2023-10-31T11:03:01+07:00

Deliberative democracy is a concept developed in Western political philosophy, and has garnered attention for its potential to address the limitations of liberal democracy. However, much of the discourse surrounding deliberative democracy has been Western-oriented, and lacking an interdisciplinary perspective that could enrich its intellectual and practical dimensions. This paper provides a critical appraisal of deliberative democracy from a Buddhist perspective and examines how Buddhist philosophy can contribute to the development of open dialogue in the public forum by exploring the relationship between internality and the dynamics of inter-subjectivity in public spaces for participatory democratic politics. The paper examines a Buddhist perspective on deliberative democracy from principles and practice such as compassion, mindfulness, and non-attachment; and with the addition of radical openness. Buddhist philosophy offers compassion as the recognition of the suffering of others and the natural desire to alleviate it. Mindfulness is the practice of attentiveness to the present moment and the matter at hand. Non-attachment is the letting go of desires and attachments that can cause distraction and other detrimental mindstates. The development of basic compassion can help to create a more inclusive and respectful dialogue, as participants are more likely to listen to and consider the viewpoints of others. Mindfulness can help participants to maintain focus on the present moment and to avoid being sidetracked by emotions or other distractions. And, non-attachment can help participants to be open to new ideas and to be willing to change their minds when presented with new information, provisionally and based on reason. The paper claims that deliberative democracy, informed by Buddhist principles and practices, has the potential to play a part in creating a more just and equitable society for all.

Keywords: intersubjectivity, global justice intercultural philosophy, consciousness, Nagarjuna

The Teleology of Education and the School Uniform Debate in Thailand

2023-07-25T09:28:52+07:00

This paper addresses a normative question: Is compulsory school uniform justified? I examine the three arguments existing in the current debate on this issue in Thailand: (1) the equality argument – compulsory school uniform is justified because it creates equality among students; (2) the actual rule argument – if compulsory school uniform is a rule at the moment, then students are supposed to wear school uniforms, otherwise the society would be chaotic; (3) the rights argument – compulsory school uniform is unjustified as it overrides students' basic rights (freedom of dress). This paper agrees with much of the rights argument, but it also sees that this proposal is insufficient, and its justification may be misleading. This paper, therefore, offers a novel argument called the teleology argument – school uniform should be abolished not because it violates students' rights but because it is incompatible with the teleology of education, which is the cultivation of the certain characters (virtues) citizens in democracy need to possess: self-esteem, the respect of the difference, critical mind, self expression, and so on.