Indian Philosophy: An Introduction to Hindu and Buddhist ThoughtWhat is Indian Philosophy? Why has India been excluded from the history of philosophy? Richard King provides an introduction to the main schools of Hindu and Buddhist thought, emphasising the living history of interaction and debate between the various traditions. The book outlines the broad spectrum of Indian philosophical schools and questions prevailing assumptions about the 'mythical' ahistorical and 'theological' nature of Indian thought. Central philosophical questions are addressed: what really exists? How do we know what we know? Can we trust our perceptions of reality? What are we and where do we come from? Early chapters discuss the nature of philosophy in general, examning the shifting usage of the term throughout history. The author argues that a single definition or characterisation of the subject matter is impossible and that histories of philosophy remain tied to an ethnocentric and colonial perspective so long as they ignore the possibility of philosophical thought 'East of the Suez'. This highlights the need for a post-colonial and global approach to philosophy.Key features* Thematic approach rather than separate chapters on various schools* Emphasis on history of interaction/debate between the various trends* Introductory and concluding chapters on exclusion of 'India' from history of philosophy |
Contents
India and the History of Philosophy | 1 |
Can Philosophy be Indian? | 24 |
The Varieties of Hindu Philosophy | 42 |
Copyright | |
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Abhidharma accepted Advaita Vedānta analysis ancient argues ātman basic Bhagavad Gītā Bhartṛhari Bhāṣya Brahma Sūtra brahman Buddha Buddhist CALIFORNIA/SANTA CRUZ Cārvākas causal cause century Chapter conception constitutes context creation CRUZ The University darśana debate denotes dharmas Dignāga distinction doctrine emptiness Enlightenment entities established existence experience gunas Hindu independent Indian philosophy Indian thought individual inference inherence interpretation involves karmic knowledge liberation Madhyamaka Mahāyāna material Matilal māyā means mental metaphysical Mīmāmsā mind Nāgārjuna nature nirvāṇa non-dual notion Nyaya Nyāya Sūtra Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika objects one's ontological particular Patañjali perceived perception philos position practice prakṛti pramāṇa pramāņas principle purușa qualities question Rāmānuja realisation reality rebirth reflects rejected Rorty samādhi Samkhya Sāmkhya Kārikā Samkhya school samsāra Sankara sense sense-organs substance subtle theory things thinkers tradition University Library UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA/SANTA Upaniṣads Vaibhāṣika Vaiseṣika Vedanta Vedas Vedic western philosophers whilst Yoga Sutra Yogācāra yogin