Perceiving Reality
Consciousness, Intentionality, and Cognition in Buddhist Philosophy
Christian Coseru
Reviews and Awards
"A well-crafted and important work, a work that will without doubt influence the discussion of Buddhist epistemology, and the analysis of the relation between Buddhist thought and phenomenology for years to come."--Mind
"This excellent book takes cross-cultural philosophy to a new high point by combining Indian Buddhist philosophy with Western phenomenology and philosophy of mind. Offering a rich account of perceptual consciousness, Coseru also casts new light on attention, sensation, self-awareness, and conceptualization. Philosophers of mind and Buddhist scholars alike will find many new insights throughout this groundbreaking book." --Evan Thompson, author of Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology and the Sciences of Mind
"Perceiving Reality is a masterful study of Buddhist epistemology. It is first and foremost a substantial contribution to the philosophical literature, developing a compelling account of epistemic authority in the context of the phenomenology of perception. It is also an excellent study of Indian Buddhist epistemological inquiry. The philology is impeccable. But it is always in the service of philosophy. Philosophers and Buddhologists must pay attention to Coseru's book." --Jay Garfield, Doris Silbert Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Philosophy, Smith College
"Perceiving Reality is a sophisticated defense of phenomenological naturalism in the philosophy of mind. A striking feature of this book is the outstanding re-descriptions of Indian Buddhist theory in a vibrant contemporary language, testament to the great dexterity with which Coseru moves in the thought-worlds of both classical Buddhism and contemporary phenomenology. Essential reading in the case it makes for comparative philosophy of mind; in particular, the significance of Indian Buddhist analysis in modern discussions of intentionality, self-consciousness, and conceptual content."--Jonardon Ganeri, author of The Self: Naturalism, Consciousness, and the First-Person Stance
"In both the breadth of his study and the important questions it raises, Coseru's work accomplishes a great deal. It will find an important place in the study of Buddhist philosophy." --H-Net
"The insights of [Coseru's] phenomenological interpretation of Buddhist theories of perception and self-awareness allow these ancient ideas to become live options for current debates in the philosophy of mind. Moreover, the ample references to empirical research lay the groundwork for further Buddhist engagement with the scientific study of consciousness and cognition." --Philosophy East and West
"Coseru's work clearly shows us the importance of engaging the vast and important philosophy that sits at the intersection of Buddhism, cognitive science, phenomenology, and epistemology. And his work stands as an excellent example of why cosmopolitan philosophy of mind is so important." --Anand Vaidya, Sophia
"Coseru's broad, deep understanding of the different philosophical traditions and methodologies he brings to bear on Buddhist epistemology and vice versa...is incredibly rich in insightful, complex, syncretic analyses and typically text-based, historically grounded argumentation, all of which constitutes a model case for the claim that these traditions are continuous with each other, and need to be treated as such." --Rick Repetti, Philosophy in Review
"Perceiving Reality is a deep, insightful, and wide-ranging work of cosmopolitan philosophy of mind. Drawing on insights and arguments from Buddhist pramanavada (Buddhist epistemology), phenomenology, and philosophy of mind, Coseru is able to achieve an impressive degree of mutual engagement and illumination between these disparate traditions." --Journal of Consciousness Studies
"...an incredibly insightful way to understand the Buddhists' account of cognition, offering a compelling case for the merits of adopting a phenomenological perspective with respect to it." --Laura Guerrero, Journal of Consciousness Studies
"Coseru's book exemplifies an important new way of doing philosophy in our polycentric, multicultural world." --Evan Thompson, Journal of Consciousness Studies