Early Buddhism as Philosophy of Existence

The Buddha was what today is called an empirical philosopher, taking his philosophy from careful study of the empirical world, and rejecting "high flown" philosophies. As philosophy of existence, his view overlaps with Marx in his most interesting form, which is not the way Marx is typically understood. Marx was reduced to economics while the Buddha was reduced to religion. Many shared his view, including Dostoevsky, Proust, and Victor Hugo. Death is present in such views. But they are not recognized as philosophy.