<p>The way I understand, the Abhidhammic view on mind is no different to the Sutta view on mind.</p>

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2018-10-19T22:11:04.997Z
2018-10-19T22:11:04.997Z
SarathW
<p>I'd like to try and categorize the abhidhammic view into either as an internalist or externalist or know if it's possible at all, knowing how the historical Buddha himself even refused to either ultimately deny or agree with the usual problem that would easily decide this issue. </p>

<p>As far as I understand my main problem is that cetasikas seem to imply an externalist view (citta comes into contact with something, they also rise and disappear with citta together) because according to externalism, for a mind content to arise, <em>it is necessary to be related to the environment in the right way</em>.</p>

<p>Citta itself seems to be an intrinsic property though, as far as every agent is capable of knowing something. This strongly implies an internalist viewpoint (there are intrinsic and unique properties of agents that mental contents supervene upon), as <em>our contents are individuated by the properties of our bodies</em>.</p>

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2018-10-18T20:16:43.277Z
Kind of, that's why I asked if you think it being possible at all to categorize the historical view under these pretty modern terms (compared to Buddhist standards).
nullfrequency
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2018-10-18T20:20:35.353Z
What Abhidhamma books have you read?
SarathW
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2018-10-18T20:26:52.680Z
Abhidhamma studies by Nyanaponika Thera, Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma by Bhikkhu Bodhi and various excerpts from Abhidhamma Vibhanga (II.) and Abhidhamma Yamaka (VI.)
nullfrequency
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2018-10-19T05:29:50.760Z
It seems you have read a lot but I can't understand your question completely. Have you read Abhidhamma in practice?http://103.242.110.22/theravadins/English-articles/abhidhamma-in-practice.pdf
SarathW
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2018-10-19T22:34:24.227Z
Could you explain, or link to a definition of, what you mean by "internalist or externalist"?
ChrisW
<philosophy><mind><abhidhamma>
Is the abhidhammic view on mind an externalist or internalist one?
# Is the abhidhammic view on mind an externalist or internalist one?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-10-18)

I'd like to try and categorize the abhidhammic view into either as an internalist or externalist or know if it's possible at all, knowing how the historical Buddha himself even refused to either ultimately deny or agree with the usual problem that would easily decide this issue.

As far as I understand my main problem is that cetasikas seem to imply an externalist view (citta comes into contact with something, they also rise and disappear with citta together) because according to externalism, for a mind content to arise, *it is necessary to be related to the environment in the right way*.

Citta itself seems to be an intrinsic property though, as far as every agent is capable of knowing something. This strongly implies an internalist viewpoint (there are intrinsic and unique properties of agents that mental contents supervene upon), as *our contents are individuated by the properties of our bodies*.

**Tags:** philosophy, mind, abhidhamma

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Kind of, that's why I asked if you think it being possible at all to categorize the historical view under these pretty modern terms (compared to Buddhist standards).  
> **username_1**: What Abhidhamma books have you read?  
> **username_0**: Abhidhamma studies by Nyanaponika Thera, Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma by Bhikkhu Bodhi and various excerpts from Abhidhamma Vibhanga (II.) and Abhidhamma Yamaka (VI.)  
> **username_1**: It seems you have read a lot but I can't understand your question completely. Have you read Abhidhamma in practice?http://103.242.110.22/theravadins/English-articles/abhidhamma-in-practice.pdf  
> **username_2**: Could you explain, or link to a definition of, what you mean by "internalist or externalist"?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-10-19. Score: 0

The way I understand, the Abhidhammic view on mind is no different to the Sutta view on mind.


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