Schools of Thought
Compare Schools
Select up to 5 schools to compare their attributes side by side. Rows with differing values are highlighted.
Select schools to compare:
#1
Realism
#2
Idealism
#3
Existentialism
#4
Pragmatism
#5
Phenomenology
#6
Relativism
#7
Determinism
#8
Presentism
#9
Eternalism
#10
Multiverse Theory
#11
Simulation Theory
#12
Naturalism
#13
Relationalism
#14
Quantum Realism
#15
Dualism
#16
Panpsychism
#17
Pragmatic Realism
#18
Process Philosophy
#19
Structuralism
#20
Postmodernism
#21
Dialectical Materialism
#22
Absurdism
#23
Phenomenalism
#24
Critical Realism
#25
Empiricism
#26
Rationalism
#27
Transcendentalism
#28
Solipsism
#29
Buddhism
✓
#30
Kantian Transcendental Idealism
#31
Stoicism
#32
Constructivism
#33
Advaita Vedanta
#34
Catholic/Thomistic
#35
Nihilism
#36
Reformed / Calvinist Theology
#37
Neo-Platonism
#38
Analytic Metaphysics / Logical Atomism
#39
Logical Positivism
#40
Taoism
#41
Confucianism
#42
Jainism / Anekantavada
#43
Samkhya
#44
Occasionalism
#45
Object-Oriented Ontology (OOO)
#46
Pyrrhonism
#47
Sufism / Wahdat al-Wujud
#48
Kabbalah (Lurianic)
#49
Hylomorphism
#50
Neutral Monism
#51
Yogacara
#52
Zoroastrianism
#53
Deep Ecology
#54
Dataism / Information Ontology
#55
Animism / Relational-Indigenous Worldview
#56
Ubuntu / African Communal Ontology
#57
Transhumanism / Posthumanism
#58
Psychedelic / Entheogenic Worldview
#59
Afrofuturism / Black Quantum Futurism
#60
Gamer / Virtual-Realist Worldview
#61
Wellness / Energetic Worldview
| Attribute |
#29
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
|
|---|---|
| Time · Extent | Infinite |
| Time · Ontological Status | Emergent |
| Time · Grain | Continuous |
| Time · Freedom | Non-Deterministic |
| Time · Traversability | Cyclical |
| Time · Dimensionality | One |
| Time · Direction | Uni-directional |
| Space · Extent | Infinite |
| Space · Ontological Status | Emergent |
| Space · Curvature | Undefined |
| Space · Dimensionality | Three |
| Space · Locality | Local |
| Matter · Extent | Finite |
| Matter · Ontological Status | Emergent |
| Matter · Conservation | Conserved |
| Matter · Dimensionality | Three |
| Matter · Locality | Local |
| Observer · Time Instance | Single |
| Observer · Space Instance | Single |
| Observer · Knowledge Extent | Immediate |
| Observer · Knowledge Retainment | Immediate |
| Observer · Physicality | Embodied |
| Observer · Agency | Active |
| Observer · Number | Plural |
| Energy · Extent | Finite |
| Energy · Ontological Status | Emergent |
| Energy · Conservation | Non-conserved |
| Energy · Dispersibility | Irreversible |
| Information · Ontological Status | Relational |
| Information · Conservation | Non-conserved |
| Information · Granularity | Continuous |
| Observer Analysis (Full Text) | |
| Buddhism | The observer is an embodied being situated in the present moment — but this "self" is not what it appears to be. What we call the observer is a constantly changing stream of aggregates (skandhas) with no permanent essence, no fixed identity persisting through time. Knowledge is immediate: direct mindful awareness of the present is the path to insight, not abstract theorizing. Yet retention is also immediate — clinging to past knowledge is itself a form of attachment, and the Buddhist practitioner learns to hold knowledge lightly. The observer is active in the sense that disciplined practice (meditation, ethical conduct, right understanding) is required to see through the illusion of a permanent self. Multiple observers share the world of suffering and impermanence, each on their own path toward liberation. |