Alan Watts, a British philosopher and writer, often spoke about the concept of “This and That” in his work. He used this phrase to illustrate the interconnectedness of all things and to encourage people to move beyond dualistic thinking.
According to Watts, dualistic thinking is the tendency to see the world in terms of opposites or polarities – such as good and evil, light and dark, or self and other. He believed that this way of thinking creates a false sense of separation and reinforces our egocentric view of the world.
Instead, Watts encouraged people to embrace the concept of “This and That”. He believed that everything in the universe is connected and that there is no clear separation between different phenomena. Rather than seeing things as separate and distinct, we should view them as different aspects of the same underlying reality.
Watts saw the concept of “This and That” as a way to break down the barriers between self and other, and to cultivate a greater sense of empathy and compassion for all living beings. He argued that when we recognize the interconnectedness of all things, we are better able to understand and appreciate the diversity of the world around us.
Overall, Alan Watts’ teachings on “This and That” challenge us to move beyond dualistic thinking and embrace a more holistic and inclusive view of the world. His insights can inspire us to cultivate a deeper sense of empathy and connection with the world around us, and to recognize the underlying unity of all things.