Classical Indian Philosophy An Introductory Text

by Mohanty, J. N.

• ISBN13: 9780847689330
• ISBN10: 0847689336
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

In this comprehensive textbook, renowned philosopher J. N. Mohanty examines the range of Indian philosophy from the Sutra period through the 17th century Navya Nyaya. Classical Indian Philosophy is divided into three parts that cover epistemology, metaphysics, and the attempt to transcend the distinction between subject and object. Instead of concentrating on the different systems, Mohanty focuses on the major concepts and problems dealt with in Indian philosophy. The book includes discussions of Indian ethics and social philosophy, as well as of Indian law and aesthetics. Classical Indian Philosophy is essential reading for students of Indian philosophy at every level.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Indian Philosophy: A Historical Overview	1	(10)
Origins	1	(1)
Rise of the Anti-Vedic, Naturalistic, and Skeptical Thinking	2	(3)
Rise of the Systems: A Historical Chronology up to 900 C.E.	5	(6)
Part 1: Theory of Knowledge (Pramana Sastra)
Theory of Knowledge (Pramana-Theory)	11	(30)
Prama or True Cognition	15	(1)
Pramanya: Its Definitions	15	(1)
Types of Pramana	16	(1)
Perception (Pratyaksa)	17	(1)
Types of Perception	18	(3)
Inference (Anumana)	21	(3)
Sabda or Sound (Utterance)	24	(1)
Theory of Meaning	25	(3)
Different Kinds of Meaning	28	(2)
Upamana or Comparison	30	(1)
Nonperception (Anupalabdhi)	31	(1)
Postulation (Arthapatti)	31	(1)
Theories of False Cognition (Khyativada)	32	(3)
Knowledge and Ignorance	35	(1)
Are Truth and Falsity Intrinsic or Extrinsic to Knowledge?	36	(5)
Part 2: Metaphysics (Prameya Sastra)
The Categories (Padartha-s)	41	(18)
List of Categories	41	(1)
Other Lists	42	(1)
Substance (Dravya)	43	(3)
Quality (Guna)	46	(1)
The Other Categories	47	(4)
Samkhya	51	(2)
Buddhism	53	(2)
Vedanta	55	(1)
Concluding Remarks or Reflections	56	(3)
The Self (Atman)	59	(14)
Body	64	(3)
Action	67	(1)
Intentionality	68	(2)
Goals (Purusartha-s)	70	(3)
Central Metaphysical Issues	73	(22)
The Problem of Causality (Karya-Karana-Sambandha)	73	(6)
Relations	79	(5)
Existence of an External World	84	(1)
Is the World Unreal?	85	(4)
Identity and Difference in Vedanta	89	(1)
Absolutism versus Nonabsolutism (Anekantavada)	90	(5)
Part 3. Philosophy of Politics, Law, and Morals (Dharma Sastras)
State, Society, and Law	95	(10)
State	95	(2)
Society	97	(1)
Law	98	(2)
Principles of Interpretation	100	(1)
Some Fundamental Legal Ideas	100	(5)
Moral Philosophy	105	(20)
Theory of Action	105	(2)
What is Dharma?	107	(3)
Moral Psychology: Fruit (phala) and Springs of Action	110	(2)
Virtues: Hindus and Buddhist	112	(2)
Jaina Ethics	114	(1)
The Idea of the Good in Indian Thought	115	(2)
From Dharma to Moksa: The Ethical Theory of the Bhagavadgita	117	(5)
A Note on the Concept of Sannyasin (Renunciant)	122	(1)
Is There a Hindu Moral Theory?	122	(3)
Part 4: Religion and Art
Philosophy of Religion	125	(8)
Nature of the Vedic Tradition	125	(2)
The Vedantic Tradition	127	(1)
Theistic Arguments	128	(1)
The Three Paths	129	(1)
The Idea of Sadhana	130	(1)
The Problem of Evil	131	(2)
Aesthetics or Rasasastra	133	(8)
Dhvani	133	(2)
Rasa	135	(1)
Summary	136	(5)
Part 5: Beyond the Pramana-Prameya Distinction
Beyond the Pramana-Prameya Distinction	141	(6)
A Critique of Subject-Object Dualism	142	(2)
Moksa and Nirvana	144	(3)
Appendix 1: A Note on Navya-Nyaya Analysis of Cognition	147	(2)
Appendix 2: Some General Features of the Indian Theories of Knowledge	149	(4)
Appendix 3: The Classical Darsanas (Systems)	153	(6)
Appendix 4: Glossary of Important Sanskrit Terms	159	(8)
Bibliography	167	(8)
Index	175	(6)
About the Author	181