Philosophy of India

Course Description

India has a rich philosophic tradition stretching back beyond the beginnings of Western philosophy in ancient Greece. Rather than seeking answers to philosophic concerns about our existence as physical beings, ancient Indian philosophy turned its attention inward to explore consciousness itself. Indian philosophy traces its roots back to the Upanishads, spiritual teachings passed on orally for centuries before being committed to the written word. We will begin by reading and discussing many of these early Upanishads. From there we will explore the major schools (or darshanas) of Indian thought, with our primary focus being on the traditions of Samkhya, Yoga, and Vedanta. We will finish by exploring the great synthesis of Indian wisdom to be found in the Bhagavad Gita, and touch on a few major Indian philosophers of this past century. Through our readings and discussions, we will explore the insights that Indian philosophy provides in its own attempt to come to terms with the human condition. Who and what are we at the most fundamental level? What can we really know about ourselves and reality? What is the relation between our inner life and the physical world we inhabit? Most importantly, how should we live to maximize meaning and purpose in our lives?

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