Questions · Ultimacy & Structural Comparison
Why can different philosophies all seem to have reached the end, yet still differ fundamentally?
Direct answer
Because different systems can each go very deep within their own problem field, yet their “final remainder” need not be the same. Some end points still require a substance, some still require a witness, some excel at deconstruction yet explain becoming less, and some explain becoming yet may re-fix “becoming.” Therefore, comparison cannot look only at whether they all say they transcend subject and object or let go of concepts; it must look at what the entire movement of thought ultimately relies on to stand.
Page purpose
This is a structural-comparison entry point, not a ranking of philosophies; the page should connect Self-release, observer, being, becoming, the cognitive-mediation deletion test, the Final Remainder Test, and the related 1:1 comparison pages.
Core concepts
Primary sources
Conclusions that must not be drawn
One cannot, on the strength of this test alone, declare a philosophy “lower” or “not ultimate,” or declare Zai-Sheng Thought “first in history.” Comparison conclusions must be grounded in textual evidence from both sides.