Consciousness in Indian Philosophy : Illuminating Mind, World, and Self / Matthew MacKenzie.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

MacKenzie, Matthew, author.

Series:

Bloomsbury Introductions to World Philosophies.

Bloomsbury Introductions to World Philosophies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Conscience.

Consciousness.

Philosophy, Indic.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (248 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London : Bloomsbury Publishing (UK), 2026.

System Details:

text file rdaft

Summary:

Consciousness has been a central theme of Indian philosophy for more than 2500 years. Returning to the theories that originated in the Classical age, Matthew MacKenzie presents the first comprehensive overview of Indian views about the nature and structure of consciousness. MacKenzie looks to the Upanisads and the early Buddhist discourses for the roots of the theories, following consciousness as it developed in the Abhidharma, Yogacara, and Pramaavada schools of Buddhism and the Nyaya, Yoga, Advaita, and Nondual Saiva schools of Hinduism. In the Upanisads, he introduces us to sages and kings who discussed the elusive light (prakasa) of consciousness and its relation to one’s deepest self (atman). In early Buddhist texts the complex flow of conscious mental events are explored within an impermanent, selfless reality. In yogic texts we find a sharp distinction between ever-shifting objects and the pure light of consciousness. Addressing timeless questions surrounding the fundamental nature of reality, MacKenzie focuses throughout on whether and how consciousness illuminates objects as well as itself. A critical and comparative introduction to a major philosophical subject, this book marks a new direction for understanding the cross-cultural philosophy of consciousness.

Contents:

Introduction: Cosmopolitan Philosophy of Consciousness Chapter 1: Consciousness as Luminosity Origins Other-Luminosity Self-Luminosity The Self Comparative Connections Chapter 2: Nyaya The Nyaya School Other Luminosity Self and World Comparative Connections Chapter 3: Abhidharma Abhidharma Schools Mind and Mental Factors Perception and Cognition Selflessness Comparative Connections Chapter 4: Yoga The Yoga School Stilling the Modifications Self and World Self-Luminosity Comparative Connections Chapter 5: Yogacara The Yogacara School Eight Dimensions of Consciousness Three Natures of Phenomena Idealism Comparative Connections Chapter 6: Advaita Advaita Vedanta The Witness Mind, Body, World Individuation Comparative Connections Chapter 7: Buddhist Pramaavada Pramaavada Dual-Aspects Reflexive Awareness Selflessness Comparative Connections Chapter 8: Nondual Saiva Kashmir Saiva Consciousness and Power Light and reflection Dynamic Nonduality Comparative Connections Conclusion: New directions Bibliography Index

ISBN:

9781350343030

OCLC:

1587073106