Five Principles of Middle Way Philosophy

Robert M Ellis has a Ph.D. in Philosophy and a Cambridge BA in Oriental Studies and Theology. Originally from a Christian background, he spent about 20 years practising Buddhism, including as a member of the Triratna Order. However, he now describes himself as a Middle Way practitioner without exclusive loyalty to any one religious tradition. In 2013 he founded the Middle Way Society (www.middlewaysociety.org) to develop and apply Middle Way Philosophy beyond the limitations of the Buddhist tradition, both in theory and practice. Robert has earned a living for more than 20 years as a teacher and tutor of philosophy and related subjects. He has previously published both academic and introductory books about Middle Way Philosophy, and recently a parallel book on Christianity, 'The Christian Middle Way'.

• IntroductionForeword to the Middle Way Philosphy seriesDr. Iain McGilchrist, author of The Master and his Emissary, fellow of All Soul’s College, Oxford and former psychiatristScepticismUncertainty, 'Knowledge' and Sceptical ArgumentScepticism is not NegativeScepticism is not ImpracticalScepticism, Embodiment and MeaningfulnessScepticism is not SelectiveScepticism does not Threaten MeaningScepticism Applies to Values and FactsProvisionalityOptionality and AdaptivenessComplexity and AntifragilitySlownessSynthesisSuppressionProbabilizingWeighing UpIncrementalitySystemic ContinuityTipping PointsPractical DiscontinuityContinuity of PersonsContinuity of TimeContinuity of SpaceContinuity of TrainingAgnosticismWary as SerpentsEven-handednessStrong, not Weak, AgnosticismAwareness of Appropriation and Lumping Awareness of Sceptical Slippage Awareness of Unholy Alliances Agnosticism and Psychological Development IntegrationRecognizing ConflictReframingResponses to IntractabilityIntegration of Desire, Meaning and BeliefIndividual and Group IntegrationTemporary IntegrationAsymmetrical IntegrationPracticeThe Middle Way as a Framework of PracticesThe Threefold PracticeIndividual Integration of Desire PracticesSocio-political Integration of Desire PracticesIndividual Integration of Meaning PracticesSocio-political Integration of Meaning PracticesIndividual Integration of Belief PracticesSocio-political Integration of Belief Practices