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Christian Thomas Kohl The Metaphysical Foundations of Buddhism and Modern Science

Christian Thomas Kohl The Metaphysical Foundations of Buddhism and Modern Science

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the theory which is dominating the discussion. This fact is the reason<br />

why dominant theories are also termed 'working hypotheses'.<br />

An example is afforded when we interrogate experience for direct<br />

evidence <strong>of</strong> the interconnectedness <strong>of</strong> things. If we hold with Hume, that<br />

the sole data originating reflective experience are impressions <strong>of</strong><br />

sensation, <strong>and</strong> also if we also admit with him the obvious fact that no one<br />

such impression by its own individual nature discloses any information as<br />

to another such impression, then on that hypothesis the direct evidence<br />

for interconnectedness vanishes. Again, if we hold the Cartesian doctrine<br />

<strong>of</strong> substantial souls with many adventures <strong>of</strong> experience, <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

substantial material bodies, then on that hypothesis the relations<br />

between two occasions <strong>of</strong> experience qualifying one soul are no evidence<br />

as to the connectedness <strong>of</strong> two such occasions respectively qualifying two<br />

different souls, <strong>and</strong> are no evidence as the connectedness <strong>of</strong> a soul <strong>and</strong> a<br />

material body, <strong>and</strong> are no evidence as to the connectedness <strong>of</strong> two<br />

occasions <strong>of</strong> agitation <strong>of</strong> one material body, or <strong>of</strong> two such occasions<br />

respectively belonging to different material bodies. But if we hold, as for<br />

example in Process <strong>and</strong> Reality, that all final individual actualities have<br />

the metaphysical character <strong>of</strong> occasions <strong>of</strong> experience, then on that<br />

hypothesis the direct evidence as to the connectedness <strong>of</strong> one's<br />

immediate present occasion <strong>of</strong> experience with one's immediately past<br />

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