Hume and Buddha, Part II

My commentary on a comic continues.

The imagination of the folks in Existential Comics brought together Hume and Buddha, sitting them at a booth in what looks like a 20th century (not so much the 21st) diner. In its first half, they discuss what they have in common. In its second, how greatly their views diverge.

For if the self is not real ... what follows?

For Buddha, what follows is that one must turn away from earthly passions into contemplation. A man once came to the Buddha saying "I want happiness." The Buddha said he should take away the I from that sentence. Then he should take away the "want," for it is the now-disappeared I that has desires and wants. Happiness will be what is left. [The comic doesn't tell the story of that exchange, but the sentiments it puts into Buddha's mouth are consistent with that.]

Hume doesn't see it that way. In the comic he says that the non-existence of the self means we should pursue ONLY sensual pleasures and passions, using our reason as their slave.

Hume is soon telling Buddha, "You aren't nearly as awesome as I thought."

How can I improve on that? I think it splendid. Tomorrow I will say something that, as a Jamesian, I ought to say about the exchange in that diner booth.

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