The Problem of Yogācāra Idealism

Is Yogacara a system of idealist metaphysics or a theory of experience without metaphysical commitments? An increasing amount of literature has argued, since the 1980s, in favor of the second answer. In this paper, I propose to review the background to the question. In fact, most of the attempts to answer the question have been made with reference to Buddhist texts and concepts. However, labels such as idealism emerged from Western philosophy and are reflective of specific historical situations and problems. Extending their use to other contexts requires that these specificities are taken into account. Building on an historical survey, I suggest that some essential features of Yogacara correspond to features of an ancient Greek tradition of metaphysics that has been characterized as idealist: Neoplatonism. On this basis, I come back to the initial question and argue in favor of the idealist interpretation.

Automated summary

This paper explores whether Yogacara is a system of idealist metaphysics or a theory of experience without metaphysical commitments. Through a historical survey, it is suggested that some essential features of Yogacara correspond to characteristics of Neoplatonism, an ancient Greek tradition of metaphysics characterized as idealist. Based on this, the paper argues in favor of the idealist interpretation.