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Carmelics
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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that External sense objects are real

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Cognition can arise from internal mental representations (vijñaptis) without any external object causing them, as Vasubandhu argues in the Viṃśatikā.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The dream argument demonstrates that phenomenologically indistinguishable cognitions occur without corresponding external objects.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.If cognition is self-luminous and self-certifying, its arising requires no external cause beyond prior karmic seeds in the ālayavijñāna.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Dignāga's apoha theory shows that perception of 'external' objects is always already conceptually constructed through exclusion (anyāpoha), not direct realist contact.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.What appears as an external object is the form (ākāra) projected by consciousness itself, making the 'external' posit epistemically redundant under Occam's razor.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.If external sense objects were nonexistent, there would be no intentional objects for cognition
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If there are no intentional objects, cognition would not arise
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Cognitions do in fact arise
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.