Indian Philosophy

 

Last December, I worked through two volumes of “Indian Philosophy” by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, and more recently have been listening to a series of podcasts from King’s College London, and was very impressed by a succinct description of Indian philosophy and how it differs from Western philosophy.

 

Having evolved over a very long time, the Indian philosophical system is completely at ease with virtually any structure of spiritual thought - agnosticism, atheism, deism, monotheism, polytheism, animism, etc.  They can all co-exist. Reason has been used to develop multiple argumentative traditions (which are what the Upanishads are).  Several varieties of beliefs have coexisted with an acceptance of an abstract “Unity” and uncertainty have been in principle fundamental behind all of Indian thinking. 

 

The concept of "Brahman", unlike a monotheistic personal God, allows an encompassing worldview by its very abstract and non-concrete dimensions, inclusive of the existent and the non-existent. Nonjudgmental and detached, at that lofty level of "Unity" all diversity is simply part and parcel of that oneness as embodied in the Advaita thought.  There is no need to look anywhere other than within oneself – “Tat Tvam Asi” - You are IT!  That “IT” being all things “divine” – You, me, the universe, and all animate and inanimate beings, the existent and the non-existent. The non-existent is also important here.

 

Some readings…..

 

Interview with Professor Jessica Frazier - https://historyofphilosophy.net/hinduism-frazier

 

Podcasts from Kings College - https://historyofphilosophy.net/India

 

Oxford University Online courses - https://ochsonline.org/#courses

 

Indian Philosophy by S Radhakrishnan (2 serious volumes)