▸ HEAD-TO-HEAD
NAGARJUNA VS VASUBANDHU
Nagarjuna
~150–250 CE
At the edge of what language can hold.
Vasubandhu
~4th c.
At the edge of what language can hold.
▸ WHERE THEY SHARPLY DISAGREED
The three dimensions on which Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu are farthest apart on Mull's 0–10 scale.
- Skeptical ReflexΔ 3 / 10Nagarjuna: 9/10Vasubandhu: 6/10
somewhat (3/10): Nagarjuna holds doubt and suspended judgment as a discipline; Vasubandhu is more willing to commit.
- Will to PowerΔ 2 / 10Nagarjuna: 1/10Vasubandhu: 3/10
somewhat (2/10): Vasubandhu emphasises shaping and self-overcoming; Nagarjuna weighs acceptance or context more.
- Trust in ExperienceΔ 2 / 10Nagarjuna: 4/10Vasubandhu: 6/10
somewhat (2/10): Vasubandhu grounds knowing in lived experience; Nagarjuna weights other sources of evidence more.
▸ WHERE THEY OVERLAPPED
Where the gap is smallest — both with meaningful presence on the dimension (not "neither cared").
- Universalist Impulsegap 0 / 10Nagarjuna: 8/10Vasubandhu: 8/10
Both lean strongly into universalist impulse.
- Theoretical Drivegap 0 / 10Nagarjuna: 8/10Vasubandhu: 8/10
Both lean strongly into theoretical drive.
- Trust in Reasongap 0 / 10Nagarjuna: 8/10Vasubandhu: 8/10
Both lean strongly into trust in reason.
▸ ALL 16 DIMENSIONS
The full vector comparison. Bars show their 0–10 scores side-by-side.
- Ascetic TendencyΔ 2
- Communal EmbeddednessΔ 1
- Embodied SensibilityΔ 2
- Mystical ReceptivityΔ 2
- Practical OrientationΔ 2
- Reverence for TraditionΔ 1
- Self as IllusionΔ 1
- Skeptical ReflexΔ 3
- Sovereign SelfΔ 2
- Theoretical DriveΔ 0
- Trust in ExperienceΔ 2
- Trust in ReasonΔ 0
- Tragic VisionΔ 1
- Universalist ImpulseΔ 0
- Vital AffirmationΔ 1
- Will to PowerΔ 2
◀ NAGARJUNAVASUBANDHU ▶
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