Joseph Dowd
@josephsdowd.bsky.social
Asian philosophy for everyone: primary texts and analytic clarity, in plain English
Website: josephdowd.com
Book: https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/introduction-asian-philosophy
Website: josephdowd.com
Book: https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/introduction-asian-philosophy
Pinned
Asian philosophy without fluff or fog: primary texts and analytic clarity, in plain English. Download a free sample on my website: josephdowd.com 👈
1/5
In Cosmos (1980), Carl Sagan calls us "starstuff pondering the stars" and "the local embodiment of a Cosmos grown to self-awareness." He's making a philosophical argument: (1) we are part of the cosmos; (2) we study the cosmos; (3) therefore, the cosmos is self-aware through us.
#CarlSagan
In Cosmos (1980), Carl Sagan calls us "starstuff pondering the stars" and "the local embodiment of a Cosmos grown to self-awareness." He's making a philosophical argument: (1) we are part of the cosmos; (2) we study the cosmos; (3) therefore, the cosmos is self-aware through us.
#CarlSagan
February 5, 2026 at 4:15 PM
1/5
In Cosmos (1980), Carl Sagan calls us "starstuff pondering the stars" and "the local embodiment of a Cosmos grown to self-awareness." He's making a philosophical argument: (1) we are part of the cosmos; (2) we study the cosmos; (3) therefore, the cosmos is self-aware through us.
#CarlSagan
In Cosmos (1980), Carl Sagan calls us "starstuff pondering the stars" and "the local embodiment of a Cosmos grown to self-awareness." He's making a philosophical argument: (1) we are part of the cosmos; (2) we study the cosmos; (3) therefore, the cosmos is self-aware through us.
#CarlSagan
After a generation of online fallacy-hunters who think that making a decision based on emotion is the appeal to emotion fallacy and that insulting someone is the ad hominem fallacy, it's clear we need to rethink how we teach critical thinking.
February 4, 2026 at 3:20 PM
After a generation of online fallacy-hunters who think that making a decision based on emotion is the appeal to emotion fallacy and that insulting someone is the ad hominem fallacy, it's clear we need to rethink how we teach critical thinking.
1/4
English-language epistemology emphasizes defining knowledge.
Ancient South Asian epistemology emphasized identifying the pramāṇas, or reliable sources of knowledge.
I made a table showing which pramāṇas various philosophical schools recognized.
English-language epistemology emphasizes defining knowledge.
Ancient South Asian epistemology emphasized identifying the pramāṇas, or reliable sources of knowledge.
I made a table showing which pramāṇas various philosophical schools recognized.
February 3, 2026 at 3:56 PM
1/4
English-language epistemology emphasizes defining knowledge.
Ancient South Asian epistemology emphasized identifying the pramāṇas, or reliable sources of knowledge.
I made a table showing which pramāṇas various philosophical schools recognized.
English-language epistemology emphasizes defining knowledge.
Ancient South Asian epistemology emphasized identifying the pramāṇas, or reliable sources of knowledge.
I made a table showing which pramāṇas various philosophical schools recognized.
Asian philosophy without fluff or fog: primary texts and analytic clarity, in plain English. Download a free sample on my website: josephdowd.com 👈
February 2, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Asian philosophy without fluff or fog: primary texts and analytic clarity, in plain English. Download a free sample on my website: josephdowd.com 👈
1/4
Alan Watts didn't always present Asian philosophy accurately, but he got one thing stupendously right:
Śūnyatā, used in Mahāyāna Buddhism, literally means "nothingness," but a better translation is "no-thing-ness."
Some of Watts's work is worth reading for that reason alone.
Alan Watts didn't always present Asian philosophy accurately, but he got one thing stupendously right:
Śūnyatā, used in Mahāyāna Buddhism, literally means "nothingness," but a better translation is "no-thing-ness."
Some of Watts's work is worth reading for that reason alone.
February 2, 2026 at 2:40 PM
1/4
Alan Watts didn't always present Asian philosophy accurately, but he got one thing stupendously right:
Śūnyatā, used in Mahāyāna Buddhism, literally means "nothingness," but a better translation is "no-thing-ness."
Some of Watts's work is worth reading for that reason alone.
Alan Watts didn't always present Asian philosophy accurately, but he got one thing stupendously right:
Śūnyatā, used in Mahāyāna Buddhism, literally means "nothingness," but a better translation is "no-thing-ness."
Some of Watts's work is worth reading for that reason alone.
Student: "I've just arrived. Please teach me about Zen."
Zen Master: "Have you eaten lunch?"
Student: "Yes."
Zen Master: "Then wash your bowl."
—Zen koan
Zen Master: "Have you eaten lunch?"
Student: "Yes."
Zen Master: "Then wash your bowl."
—Zen koan
📖 Teachings of Epictetus:
“I have to die. If it is now, well then I die now; if later, then now I will take my lunch, since the hour for lunch has arrived - and dying I will tend to later.”
“I have to die. If it is now, well then I die now; if later, then now I will take my lunch, since the hour for lunch has arrived - and dying I will tend to later.”
January 28, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Student: "I've just arrived. Please teach me about Zen."
Zen Master: "Have you eaten lunch?"
Student: "Yes."
Zen Master: "Then wash your bowl."
—Zen koan
Zen Master: "Have you eaten lunch?"
Student: "Yes."
Zen Master: "Then wash your bowl."
—Zen koan
1/2
✋️ Stop saying western #philosophy is logical and eastern philosophy is mystical. The reality is far more complex.
The Nyāya school in India and the Mohist school in China developed systems of logic.
✋️ Stop saying western #philosophy is logical and eastern philosophy is mystical. The reality is far more complex.
The Nyāya school in India and the Mohist school in China developed systems of logic.
January 28, 2026 at 3:03 PM
1/2
✋️ Stop saying western #philosophy is logical and eastern philosophy is mystical. The reality is far more complex.
The Nyāya school in India and the Mohist school in China developed systems of logic.
✋️ Stop saying western #philosophy is logical and eastern philosophy is mystical. The reality is far more complex.
The Nyāya school in India and the Mohist school in China developed systems of logic.
1/3
People debate whether Asian philosophy counts as philosophy. Let's think about this historically.
Around the 6th century BCE, Greek schools of thought started debating physics, psychology, cosmology, theology, and ethics. Their goal was to find eudaimonia, the good life.
People debate whether Asian philosophy counts as philosophy. Let's think about this historically.
Around the 6th century BCE, Greek schools of thought started debating physics, psychology, cosmology, theology, and ethics. Their goal was to find eudaimonia, the good life.
January 27, 2026 at 3:38 PM
1/3
People debate whether Asian philosophy counts as philosophy. Let's think about this historically.
Around the 6th century BCE, Greek schools of thought started debating physics, psychology, cosmology, theology, and ethics. Their goal was to find eudaimonia, the good life.
People debate whether Asian philosophy counts as philosophy. Let's think about this historically.
Around the 6th century BCE, Greek schools of thought started debating physics, psychology, cosmology, theology, and ethics. Their goal was to find eudaimonia, the good life.
na tat svābhāsaṃ dṛśyatvāt (Yoga Sutra 4.19)
"[The mind] is not luminous on its own, because [its thoughts] are viewable."
According to Yoga, the mind isn't the experiencer ("not luminous"), because its thoughts are experienced ("viewable"). The experiencer watches the mind.
"[The mind] is not luminous on its own, because [its thoughts] are viewable."
According to Yoga, the mind isn't the experiencer ("not luminous"), because its thoughts are experienced ("viewable"). The experiencer watches the mind.
January 23, 2026 at 4:18 PM
na tat svābhāsaṃ dṛśyatvāt (Yoga Sutra 4.19)
"[The mind] is not luminous on its own, because [its thoughts] are viewable."
According to Yoga, the mind isn't the experiencer ("not luminous"), because its thoughts are experienced ("viewable"). The experiencer watches the mind.
"[The mind] is not luminous on its own, because [its thoughts] are viewable."
According to Yoga, the mind isn't the experiencer ("not luminous"), because its thoughts are experienced ("viewable"). The experiencer watches the mind.
1/2
Everyone is a #philosopher.
When you ask yourself whether an action is right, you're doing #ethics.
When you consider which media provide real knowledge, you're doing #epistemology.
Everyone is a #philosopher.
When you ask yourself whether an action is right, you're doing #ethics.
When you consider which media provide real knowledge, you're doing #epistemology.
January 22, 2026 at 3:45 PM
1/2
Everyone is a #philosopher.
When you ask yourself whether an action is right, you're doing #ethics.
When you consider which media provide real knowledge, you're doing #epistemology.
Everyone is a #philosopher.
When you ask yourself whether an action is right, you're doing #ethics.
When you consider which media provide real knowledge, you're doing #epistemology.
"Metaphysical" doesn't mean non-physical.
#Metaphysics studies the basic structure of reality.
Theism, atheism, monism, and reductive materialism are all metaphysical views.
The question isn't whether you believe in metaphysics. It's what metaphysics you believe in.
#Metaphysics studies the basic structure of reality.
Theism, atheism, monism, and reductive materialism are all metaphysical views.
The question isn't whether you believe in metaphysics. It's what metaphysics you believe in.
January 21, 2026 at 7:08 PM
"Metaphysical" doesn't mean non-physical.
#Metaphysics studies the basic structure of reality.
Theism, atheism, monism, and reductive materialism are all metaphysical views.
The question isn't whether you believe in metaphysics. It's what metaphysics you believe in.
#Metaphysics studies the basic structure of reality.
Theism, atheism, monism, and reductive materialism are all metaphysical views.
The question isn't whether you believe in metaphysics. It's what metaphysics you believe in.
People often say that #Daoism rejects the idea of good and evil or (even worse) that Daoism recommends a balance between them.
It's less misleading to say that, for Daoism, good is balance (between light and dark, masculine and feminine, active and passive) and evil is imbalance.
It's less misleading to say that, for Daoism, good is balance (between light and dark, masculine and feminine, active and passive) and evil is imbalance.
January 21, 2026 at 1:43 AM
People often say that #Daoism rejects the idea of good and evil or (even worse) that Daoism recommends a balance between them.
It's less misleading to say that, for Daoism, good is balance (between light and dark, masculine and feminine, active and passive) and evil is imbalance.
It's less misleading to say that, for Daoism, good is balance (between light and dark, masculine and feminine, active and passive) and evil is imbalance.
The ancient Chinese concept of the #Dao parallels (among other things) the ancient Egyptian concept of Ma'at, the early Indian concept of Rta, and the ancient Greek concept of the Logos.
January 19, 2026 at 3:59 PM
The ancient Chinese concept of the #Dao parallels (among other things) the ancient Egyptian concept of Ma'at, the early Indian concept of Rta, and the ancient Greek concept of the Logos.
The #Stoic philosopher Epictetus and the #BhagavadGita recommend essentially the same solution to anxiety: shift your focus from what you can't control (the outcome, or what the Gita calls the fruit of action) to what you can control (your effort to do the right thing).
January 18, 2026 at 3:31 PM
The #Stoic philosopher Epictetus and the #BhagavadGita recommend essentially the same solution to anxiety: shift your focus from what you can't control (the outcome, or what the Gita calls the fruit of action) to what you can control (your effort to do the right thing).
1/4
You'll sometimes hear that Buddhism says you have no soul. That's correct if "soul" means Self, but it's misleading.
(continued)
You'll sometimes hear that Buddhism says you have no soul. That's correct if "soul" means Self, but it's misleading.
(continued)
January 17, 2026 at 2:39 PM
1/4
You'll sometimes hear that Buddhism says you have no soul. That's correct if "soul" means Self, but it's misleading.
(continued)
You'll sometimes hear that Buddhism says you have no soul. That's correct if "soul" means Self, but it's misleading.
(continued)
1/2
Classical #Chinese #philosophy grappled with what we might call the spontaneity problem: How can social performance become smooth and free-flowing?
Some answers:
Xunzi: Follow social rituals until you internalize and spontaneously follow them.
Classical #Chinese #philosophy grappled with what we might call the spontaneity problem: How can social performance become smooth and free-flowing?
Some answers:
Xunzi: Follow social rituals until you internalize and spontaneously follow them.
January 16, 2026 at 2:56 PM
1/2
Classical #Chinese #philosophy grappled with what we might call the spontaneity problem: How can social performance become smooth and free-flowing?
Some answers:
Xunzi: Follow social rituals until you internalize and spontaneously follow them.
Classical #Chinese #philosophy grappled with what we might call the spontaneity problem: How can social performance become smooth and free-flowing?
Some answers:
Xunzi: Follow social rituals until you internalize and spontaneously follow them.
"Philosophy" comes from Greek philosophia, meaning love of wisdom.
Until the 19th century, #scientists were called "natural philosophers".
Both what we consider #philosophy and what we consider wisdom used to be a lot broader than they are now.
Until the 19th century, #scientists were called "natural philosophers".
Both what we consider #philosophy and what we consider wisdom used to be a lot broader than they are now.
January 15, 2026 at 3:31 PM
"Philosophy" comes from Greek philosophia, meaning love of wisdom.
Until the 19th century, #scientists were called "natural philosophers".
Both what we consider #philosophy and what we consider wisdom used to be a lot broader than they are now.
Until the 19th century, #scientists were called "natural philosophers".
Both what we consider #philosophy and what we consider wisdom used to be a lot broader than they are now.
Most #Daodejing translations are based on the Wang Bi version of the text.
This version has come down to us attached to a commentary by the 3rd-century philosopher Wang Bi.
But this so-called Wang Bi version isn't the version Wang Bi commented on!
Source: tinyurl.com/3p99xb5z
This version has come down to us attached to a commentary by the 3rd-century philosopher Wang Bi.
But this so-called Wang Bi version isn't the version Wang Bi commented on!
Source: tinyurl.com/3p99xb5z
January 15, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Most #Daodejing translations are based on the Wang Bi version of the text.
This version has come down to us attached to a commentary by the 3rd-century philosopher Wang Bi.
But this so-called Wang Bi version isn't the version Wang Bi commented on!
Source: tinyurl.com/3p99xb5z
This version has come down to us attached to a commentary by the 3rd-century philosopher Wang Bi.
But this so-called Wang Bi version isn't the version Wang Bi commented on!
Source: tinyurl.com/3p99xb5z
1/2
The Chinese word 德 (as in 道德經 Daodejing) is often translated as "virtue".
Some scholars advise against that translation, since 德 meant magical/charismatic power in early Chinese texts.
The Chinese word 德 (as in 道德經 Daodejing) is often translated as "virtue".
Some scholars advise against that translation, since 德 meant magical/charismatic power in early Chinese texts.
January 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
1/2
The Chinese word 德 (as in 道德經 Daodejing) is often translated as "virtue".
Some scholars advise against that translation, since 德 meant magical/charismatic power in early Chinese texts.
The Chinese word 德 (as in 道德經 Daodejing) is often translated as "virtue".
Some scholars advise against that translation, since 德 meant magical/charismatic power in early Chinese texts.
1/3
Western scholars used to distinguish "philosophical Daoism" from "religious Daoism":
Philosophical #Daoism: philosophical ideas, mainly from the #Daodejing and #Zhuangzi
Religious Daoism: a blanket term for many different Chinese religious traditions
Western scholars used to distinguish "philosophical Daoism" from "religious Daoism":
Philosophical #Daoism: philosophical ideas, mainly from the #Daodejing and #Zhuangzi
Religious Daoism: a blanket term for many different Chinese religious traditions
January 12, 2026 at 10:13 PM
1/3
Western scholars used to distinguish "philosophical Daoism" from "religious Daoism":
Philosophical #Daoism: philosophical ideas, mainly from the #Daodejing and #Zhuangzi
Religious Daoism: a blanket term for many different Chinese religious traditions
Western scholars used to distinguish "philosophical Daoism" from "religious Daoism":
Philosophical #Daoism: philosophical ideas, mainly from the #Daodejing and #Zhuangzi
Religious Daoism: a blanket term for many different Chinese religious traditions
上德不德。
Those of superior virtue do not emphasize their virtue.
下德執德。
Those of inferior virtue cling to their virtue.
—the Classic of Purity and Calmness (Qing Jing Jing)
Those of superior virtue do not emphasize their virtue.
下德執德。
Those of inferior virtue cling to their virtue.
—the Classic of Purity and Calmness (Qing Jing Jing)
January 10, 2026 at 3:47 PM
上德不德。
Those of superior virtue do not emphasize their virtue.
下德執德。
Those of inferior virtue cling to their virtue.
—the Classic of Purity and Calmness (Qing Jing Jing)
Those of superior virtue do not emphasize their virtue.
下德執德。
Those of inferior virtue cling to their virtue.
—the Classic of Purity and Calmness (Qing Jing Jing)
Before discussing nondualism, you need to know what you mean by dualism.
Kinds of dualism:
Theological: 2 gods
Metaphysical: Things come in 2 kinds (e.g., mental vs. physical).
Ontological: only 2 things exist
Perceptual: The perceiver is separate from the perceived.
Kinds of dualism:
Theological: 2 gods
Metaphysical: Things come in 2 kinds (e.g., mental vs. physical).
Ontological: only 2 things exist
Perceptual: The perceiver is separate from the perceived.
January 9, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Before discussing nondualism, you need to know what you mean by dualism.
Kinds of dualism:
Theological: 2 gods
Metaphysical: Things come in 2 kinds (e.g., mental vs. physical).
Ontological: only 2 things exist
Perceptual: The perceiver is separate from the perceived.
Kinds of dualism:
Theological: 2 gods
Metaphysical: Things come in 2 kinds (e.g., mental vs. physical).
Ontological: only 2 things exist
Perceptual: The perceiver is separate from the perceived.
Many think that #Hinduism is dualistic:
Soul + body
In reality, Hindu #philosophy tends to be "trialistic":
Self + mind + body
On this view, the Self passively observes the thoughts happening in the mind.
Soul + body
In reality, Hindu #philosophy tends to be "trialistic":
Self + mind + body
On this view, the Self passively observes the thoughts happening in the mind.
January 8, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Many think that #Hinduism is dualistic:
Soul + body
In reality, Hindu #philosophy tends to be "trialistic":
Self + mind + body
On this view, the Self passively observes the thoughts happening in the mind.
Soul + body
In reality, Hindu #philosophy tends to be "trialistic":
Self + mind + body
On this view, the Self passively observes the thoughts happening in the mind.