Ontology of the three worlds in the context of Buddhist philosophy
Философская мысль September 1, 2021 P. Abramov
Buddhist ontology of three worlds—matter, mind, and abstract concepts—largely coincides with Karl Popper's three-world system but offers advantages over dualism. The third world mediates between the other two and is not fully conditioned by them; knowledge in it develops consciousness. A thought experiment with atoms shows no indivisible elements exist, everything is interdependent, and Buddhist logic supports boundless development of love and compassion. Consciousness cannot be reduced to matter yet is inseparable from energy processes. The three fundamental attributes of consciousness—subjectivity, intentionality, reflexivity—can be extended with continuous virtue development and interdependence between consciousness and subtle matter. On the phenomenal level there are three realms, but on the noumenal level there is unity, a point Popper does not recognize.