Wu wu under the possible worlds theory
Wu 無 under the possible worlds theory
This article explores four crucial problems regarding wu wu (nothingness or nonexistence), a central concept in Chinese philosophy: (1) What is wu, and how does it relate to you you (somethingness or existence)? (2) Does ‘you arise from wu’ (you sheng yu wu you sheng yu wu), and if so, how does this...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Asian philosophy
Year: 2025, Volume: 35, Issue: 2, Pages: 107-119 |
| Further subjects: | B
Nothingness
B Possible Worlds B you you B Possibility B Contingency B Wu wu |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This article explores four crucial problems regarding wu wu (nothingness or nonexistence), a central concept in Chinese philosophy: (1) What is wu, and how does it relate to you you (somethingness or existence)? (2) Does ‘you arise from wu’ (you sheng yu wu you sheng yu wu), and if so, how does this ‘arising’ occur? (3) Which takes precedence in Chinese philosophy, wu or you? (4) Does pursuing wu risk leading to nihilism? Drawing on Saul Kripke’ s interpretation of possible worlds, I propose that wu represents a realm of potential possibilities. I align with Kripke’ s view that possible worlds lack actual existence but are anchored in the actual world. This view clarifies the seemingly paradoxical nature of Chinese philosophy: it is rooted in the mundane world while embracing a transcendental wu. Moreover, it helps avoid the nihilism that might arise from interpreting wu as a groundless void. This article explores four crucial problems regarding wu 無 (nothingness or nonexistence), a central concept in Chinese philosophy: (1) What is wu, and how does it relate to you 有 (somethingness or existence)? (2) Does ‘you arise from wu’ (you sheng yu wu 有生於無), and if so, how does this ‘arising’ occur? (3) Which takes precedence in Chinese philosophy, wu or you? (4) Does pursuing wu risk leading to nihilism? Drawing on Saul Kripke’s interpretation of possible worlds, I propose that wu represents a realm of potential possibilities. I align with Kripke’s view that possible worlds lack actual existence but are anchored in the actual world. This view clarifies the seemingly paradoxical nature of Chinese philosophy: it is rooted in the mundane world while embracing a transcendental wu. Moreover, it helps avoid the nihilism that might arise from interpreting wu as a groundless void. |
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| ISSN: | 1469-2961 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Asian philosophy
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1080/09552367.2024.2396740 |
