Madhyamika is a Sanskrit word that refers to a school of Buddhist philosophy that is known for its critical analysis and reasoning. It is also sometimes referred to as the Middle Way, as it seeks to avoid the extremes of eternalism and nihilism. There are several synonyms for madhyamika, including Nagarjuna philosophy (named after the philosopher who developed many of its key ideas), the doctrine of emptiness (as it emphasizes the lack of inherent existence of all phenomena), and the sunyata doctrine (sunyata being the Sanskrit word for emptiness). Other terms that are sometimes used interchangeably with madhyamika include the Middle Path, the Middle View, and the Two-Truths Doctrine.