Knowledge and Liberation in Classical Indian Thou

by C. Ram-Prasad

Overview

Classical Indian schools of philosophy undertake major debates on a variety of issues with the formal aim of attaining a supreme end to existence - liberation from the cycle of lives. This book looks at four conceptions of liberation and the way analytic inquiry and philosophical knowledge are held to lead in its attainment. The central motivation of Indian philosophy - the quest for the Highest Good - is recognised but also situated in the rigorous and analytic philosophical activity of these thinkers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349425341
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	01/01/2001
Series:	Library of Philosophy and Religion
Edition description:	1st ed. 2001
Pages:	259
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

CHAKRAVARTHI RAM-PRASAD is a Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Lancaster University. He is the author of many articles on Indian metaphysics and epistemology, religion and politics, and classical Hinduism.

Table of Contents

Introduction Bhatta Mimamsa: Action, the Sacred Texts and the End of Action Nyaya: Suffering, Detachment and Peace Yogacara-Madhyamika: Conceptualisation, Insight and Pure Cognition Advaita: Radical Misunderstanding and De-Individuation of Consciousness Concluding Summary Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

Ram-Prasad (religious studies, Lancaster U.) investigates how various schools of Indian believed knowledge relates to specific conceptions of the highest good. Not all schools tackle the question, and he considers Bhatita Mimamsa, Nyaya, Yogacara- Madhyamika, and Advaita Vedanta as representing different conceptions of the highest good within the broad notion of liberation from the blemished conditions of existence. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

'This book addresses a central topic in Indian philosophy and religion: the conceptual foundations of liberation and the role of knowledge in its attainment. It is not textually precise and philosophically rigorous. The treatment of both Hindu and Buddhist systems is particularly novel. The systematic coverage of a range of issues us sure to be helpful to advanced students of Indian and comparative philosophy and religion. At the same time, it offers original readings of the great classical texts of the traditions that is likely to both provoke and inform.' - Eliot Deutsch, Professor of Chair of Philosophy, University of Hawaii, Manoa

From the Publisher