Recap: CAS TALK: CONTRADICTIONS IN ZEN – WHEN CONTRADICTIONS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
April 6, 2026
The CAS Talk: Contradictions in Zen, held on 01/04/2026 in room C303, VinUniversity, provided a profound academic space where students could access fresh perspectives on Logic, Philosophy, and Zen. The program was honored to welcome guest speaker Mirja Annalena Holst – a philosopher with a solid research background in logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of language, and who has pursued years of research on Asian philosophy, particularly Zen Buddhism and the intersection of Eastern and Western thought.
During the talk, the speaker focused on an interesting aspect of Zen Buddhism, which is that instead of viewing opposing viewpoints as illogical, she encouraged us to see them as tools for understanding the multifaceted nature of life. What initially seems contradictory actually opens up a more multidimensional perspective on life, giving us a more complete and comprehensive view. This is how we understand that the world is inherently diverse and not always clearly defined as right or wrong.
Through analyzing the relationship between “I” and “not I”, the talk opened up a profound insight into the connection between individuals and the world around them. It revealed that each of us does not exist in isolation but is always shaped and supported by family, community, and our living environment. Upon closer observation, what seem to be opposites actually coexist and complement each other, because “I” can only be clearly identified when placed in relation to the myriad surrounding elements. From this perspective, the boundary between the individual and the collective becomes more flexible and blurred, helping us understand that each person is always part of a larger whole, where diverse elements coexist and create a comprehensive picture of reality.
Building upon this foundation, the discussion introduced a multi-dimensional approach, helping students become familiar with viewing a problem from multiple opposing perspectives. Instead of choosing only one viewpoint, they were encouraged to think flexibly, recognizing that different elements can coexist and be unified. This is a crucial skill for young people to analyze complex situations in their studies and lives.
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