Buddhist Philosophy of Impermanence: Anicca Explained

What makes this paper effective

• The paper systematically contrasts Eastern and Western philosophical frameworks before diving into Buddhist doctrine, giving readers a clear conceptual anchor.
• It strengthens a centuries-old religious philosophy by connecting it to modern scientific evidence — specifically Dalton's atomic theory and the behavior of electrons — demonstrating interdisciplinary reasoning.
• The progression from impermanence in the physical world to impermanence within the human self creates a coherent logical arc that mirrors Buddhist teaching methodology.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates comparative philosophical analysis: it positions Buddhist doctrine against Western metaphysics, uses concrete natural examples (mountains, volcanoes, oceans, radioactive isotopes) to illustrate abstract claims, and then applies the same principle to human psychology and ethics. This movement from the macro (cosmology) to the micro (individual self) is a hallmark of structured philosophical exposition.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a brief survey of Eastern vs. Western thought, then introduces the core Buddhist concept of Anitya and its two degrees. It moves outward to illustrate impermanence in nature and inward to the human self via the five skandhas. The middle section bridges ancient philosophy and modern science. The paper closes with a discussion of desire, liberation through detachment, and a brief comparative conclusion distinguishing Gautama's approach from Western notions of totality and selfhood.