Article
The Unanswered Questions and the Limits of Knowledge
Journal of Indian Philosophy
(2012)
Abstract
In this article I look at the Buddha's refusal to answer certain questions in light of the dynamics of ancient Indian debate. Doing so foregrounds a dimension of the Buddha's interaction with his interlocutors that is central for understanding the problem of what are known as the Undetermined or Unanswered (avyākata) Questions: namely, the Buddha's knowledge and authority vis-à-vis rival teachers.
Keywords
- Unanswered questions,
- Debate,
- No-self
Disciplines
Publication Date
August 11, 2012
DOI
10.1007/s10781-012-9165-0
Citation Information
Hugh Nicholson. "The Unanswered Questions and the Limits of Knowledge" Journal of Indian Philosophy Vol. 40 Iss. 5 (2012) p. 533 - 552 ISSN: 0022-1791 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/hugh-nicholson/1/