The Axiological Structures of Buddhism

Toward an Understanding of Mult-dimensional Valuation

Abstract

The basic theme of this essay maintains that Buddhism—even Zen—contains axiological structural elements and is susceptible to an axiological analysis based on the three value dimensions defined and elaborated by Robert S. Hartman—the systemic, the extrinsic, and the intrinsic. Yet the underlying purpose is to explore the concept of simultaneous multi-dimensional valuation with the hope of providing readers with a way of understanding how intrinsic, extrinsic, and systemic valuations work together in our everyday lives. The fundamental presupposition of my thought here is that intrinsic valuation should be understood as a way of experiencing the world, indeed, a mode of comportment for living a more fruitful life. After a brief overview of my interpretation of Hartman’s characterization of the three value realms, we move to an axiological analysis of Buddhism, first historically, and then “structurally” by taking the guiding concept of Right in the Eightfold Path to be a valuational compass for understanding and thereby balancing the systemic, extrinsic, and intrinsic in our daily lives. The implementation of this tool requires that the initiate be intrinsically grounded so we explore how the two major schools of Zen, Rinzai and Soto, provide meditational techniques designed to facilitate acquiring that essential foundation. We will see that Zen’s mode of negotiating reality and approaching the world with the open concept of intrinsic valuation allows us to valuate in all three dimensions simultaneously, which, Buddha laughs cheerfully, we always already knew how to do!