Liberation in Wittgenstein and Madhyamaka Buddhism

This paper argues in favour of continuities between the philosophy of Wittgenstein and the Madhyamaka of Nāgārjuna, identifying not only methodological affinities but also a shared vision of philosophy as a liberatory praxis, enabling a radical form of freedom. In our view, neither philosopher posits any doctrines, philosophical theories or once-and-for-all claims. Instead, both Wittgenstein and Nāgārjuna aim to liberate us from disquieting pictures or ways of seeing. This study represents a new understanding of the continuities between Wittgenstein and Madhyamaka, rejecting not only the old paradigms of ineffability and anti-metaphysical readings, but also the notion that the scope of Wittgenstein and Nāgārjuna’s liberation should be seen as discontinuous. In different ways, we claim that their methods aim to affect a gestalt shift or transformative experience, thereby loosening the grip of fixations and preconceptions that cause us tension and suffering. We claim that both philosophers offer a form of salvation that goes beyond simply dissolving problems associated with philosophical problems, but addresses confusions anyone is susceptible to. This involves a radical reinterpretation of both the target of Wittgenstein’s liberatory method and the role and status of Nāgārjuna’s non-dualist description of ‘that-ness’ (tattva).