Indian philosophy : an introduction to Hindu and Buddhist thought / Richard King.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

King, Richard, 1966- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Philosophy, Indic.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvi, 263 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press, 2008.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

What 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 FeaturesThematic approach rather than separate chapters on various schoolsEmphasis on history of interaction/debate between the various trendsIntroductory and concluding chapters on exclusion of 'India' from history of philosophy

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

Introduction

1. India and the History of Philosophy

2. Can Philosophy be Indian?

3. The Varieties of Hindu Philosophy

4. Buddhist Philosophy in India

5. Ontology: What really exists?

6. Epistemology: How do we know what we know?

7. Perception: Do we see things as they are?

8. Consciousness and the Body: What are we?

9. Creation and Causality: Where do we come from?

10. Philosophy in a Post-Colonial World

Bibliography of Cited Works

Index and Glossary of Important Sanskrit Terms

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (pages 246-254) and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781474469890

1474469892

9780585159140

0585159149