indian philosophical systems

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INDIAN PHILOSOPHY

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This PPT deals with Indian Philosophical Systems. It includes information regarding their origin, general principles and charges against Indian Philosophy.

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Page 1: Indian Philosophical Systems

INDIAN PHILOSOP

HY

Page 2: Indian Philosophical Systems

1. Indian Philosophy is diverse in nature.

2. The major schools of Indian Philosophy were formalized between 1000 BC to early centuries AD.

3. Competition and integration among different schools was intense during 800 BC to 200 AD.

Page 3: Indian Philosophical Systems

Concept of Darśana

1. Indian Philosophy includes Shad Darśana , Jaina Darśana , Buddha Darśana and Cārvāka Darśana.

2. It refers to ‘that through the instrumentality of which something is to be seen’.

3. This function can be performed by both external as well as internal eyes.

Page 4: Indian Philosophical Systems

divine eyes (divya caksu),

eyes of wisdom (prajna casku),

Internal eyes-

eyes of knowledge( jnana

caksu)

Page 5: Indian Philosophical Systems

1. The term Darśana includes arguments for and against the existence of contradictory elements.

For example – Concrete and abstract concepts , gross and subtle objects etc.

2. It contains metaphysics, religion and ethics.

Page 6: Indian Philosophical Systems

Significance Of The Vedas

1. Indian Philosophical systems trace their origin in Vedas.

2. On the basis of belief in Vedas, Indian philosophical systems are divided into 2 major types -

a. Āstika schools of philosophy - Orthodox schools of philosophy. Āstika schools believe in the authority of Vedas. Āstika schools are further divided on the basis of independent origin , jnana kanda , karma kanda etc.

b. Nāstika schools of philosophy - Heterodox schools of philosophy. Nāstika schools do not believe in the authority of Vedas.

Page 7: Indian Philosophical Systems

The division is as follows -

Indian Philosophical Systems

Āstika schools

Based on VedasEmp

hasizing on

karma

kāṇḍa

(Mīmāṃsā)

Emphasizing on

jnana

kanda

(Vedānta)

Independent origin (Nyāyá,

Vaiśeṣika, Sāṃkhya,

Yoga)

Nāstika schools(Jaina, Buddha, Cārvāka)

Page 8: Indian Philosophical Systems

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS

OF INDIAN PHILOSOPHICAL

SYSTEMS

Page 9: Indian Philosophical Systems

Indian Philosophy is characterized by a fundamental unity. Following are the

common characteristics of Indian philosophical systems:

1. Spiritual Orientation: Indian Philosophy is spiritual and believes in the reality of the soul and seeks to realise it in its true form.The realisation of the soul has been the common goal of all Indian Philosophical schools.

2. Closeness To Life: Indian Philosophy is close to life.It has a higher and profounder aim in view.It wants to tackle the ultimate problems of life.

Page 10: Indian Philosophical Systems

3. Spiritual Dissatisfaction: Indian philosophers were not content with merely mundane pursuits. Indian Philosophy owes its origin to the discontent of the spirit with merely temporal life.It aims at a divine transformation of life.

4. Liberation - The Ultimate End: Indian Philosophies differ in details as to the conception of liberation. They unanimously hold that liberation enables a man to free himself from the shackles of ignorance and from the bondage of misery.

5. Ignorance - The Root Cause Of Bondage: That misery and bondage are the offspring of human ignorance is the common corenerstone of all philosophical schools of India.

Page 11: Indian Philosophical Systems

6. Practice of Yoga for Moksa: All Indian philosophers regard some sort of practice or yoga as a prerequisite for getting freadom from psychological and spiritual ignorance.

7. Psychological basis: Indian philosophers have minutely explained human psychology.From Buddha down to Patanjali, Ramajuna, all teachers emphasized the psychological aspect of philosophy.

8. Synthesis Of Religion And Philosophy: The transformation of life and emancipation from misery constitute the common goal of both philosophy and religion.

9. Intellectualism: Indian philosophical systems seek truth in their own independent way.They approach the problems with an open mind and unprejudiced eye.

Page 12: Indian Philosophical Systems

10. Faith in Rta: The universal moral system in microcosm and macrocosm alike is termed ‘Rta’ in the Vedas. According to it, gods, living beings and plants all move in accordance with one universal moral pattern.

11. Faith in Karma: Indian philosophers believe in the ‘Theory of Karma’. According to it,the result of actions are always with us in the form of impressions and they direct the course of our life. And Liberation is nothing but emancipation from the bondage of Karma.

12. Faith in rebirth: The Theory of Karma and that of Rebirth go hand in hand.Due to the bondage of Karma, human soul has to be reborn in different bodies.Liberation frees a person from rebirth also. Carvaka school does not believe in this theory.

Page 13: Indian Philosophical Systems

13. Synthetic Approach: The Indian philosophers had a synthetic approach and they never laid exclusive emphasis on any single aspect of human life.Though recommending individual spiritual practice, they yet kept universal welfare in view.

14. Faith in the past: Indian philosophical systems have a common faith in Vedas, The Gita and The Upanishads. This faith in ancient wisdom accounts for a particular order,which one finds in all the Indian philosophical systems. But it cannot be equated with blind faith in Scriptures.

15. Dynamism: Indian philosophical systems are dynamic. When one particular system of philosophy became very popular, it was countered by some other system.

Page 14: Indian Philosophical Systems

CHARGES AGAINST INDIAN

PHILOSOPHY

Page 15: Indian Philosophical Systems

1. PESSIMISM

1. Because western scholars are unaware of the real nature and profound undertones of Indian Philosophy and so they have an erroneous conception about Indian Philosophy.

2. They find it to be pessimistic.3.Chailey in his book ‘Administrative

Problems’ declares that “Indian Philosophy springs from lassitude and a desire for eternal rest”.

4. Pessimism denotes a peculiar mental outlook. For a pessimist, the world is nothing but a place full of misery.

Page 16: Indian Philosophical Systems

Indian philosophy is pessimistic1. It originates in dissatisfaction with the present

conditions of materialistic world.2. This world is fraught with innumerable hardships and

man is embroiled in the vicious circle of enjoyment(bhoga) and impressions(saṃskāra).

3. Thus man never gets tranquility of soul and equanimity of mind.

4. This sort of pessimism is indispensable for progress of life.

5. Prof. Bosanquet says “I believe in optimism, but I add that no optimism is worth its salt that does not go all the way with pessimism and arrive at a point beyond it. This I am convinced is the true spirit of life and if any one thinks it dangerous and an excuse for unjustifiable acquiescence in evil, I reply that all truth which has any touch of thoroughness has its danger for practice”

Page 17: Indian Philosophical Systems

Indian Philosophy Is Optimistic

1. Optimistic about the ultimate goal of life.2. Aims at liberation, which is not an escape

from or an end of life. Rather it is transformation of life.

3. Enables man to save himself from the dire agonies and delusions of the world and to lead a life of everlasting bliss after realizing his true self.

4. Felicity not sorrow is the aim of spirituality.

5. In the words of Dr. Radhakrishnan, “ Indian thinkers are pessimistic in so far as they look upon the world order as an evil and a lie, they are optimistic since they feel that there is a way out of it into the realm of truth which is also goodness.”

Page 18: Indian Philosophical Systems

2. Dogmatism 1. Scriptures are generally regarded as an

authoritative source of knowledge. The Vedas, Upanishads and the Gita have been quoted so often by Indian philosophers that it has led many western scholars to lay the charge of dogmatism on Indian Philosophy.

2. Faith in the Veda must not be misconstrued as dogmatism.

3. Even if Indian Philosophy has had a long chequered history and has undergone many a vicissitude, it has had its dark periods too, when the soul of philosophy was well nigh crushed under the dead weight of hair-splitting pettifoggery and scholastic controversies ; these were invariably followed by a strong reaction and the spiritual thought was soon freed from dogmatism.

Page 19: Indian Philosophical Systems

3. Negation Of Ethics1. According to Farquhar, “There is practically no ethical

philosophy within the frontiers of Hindu thinking.”2. Ethics has not been allotted paramount pedestal in

Indian Philosophy as spirituality is considered superior to ethics and religion. The liberated person has transcended ethical barriers.

3. But it has also not overlooked ethics. For example a person who has attained perfection in the spiritual field rises above the moral conflicts. But before this attainment, ethical considerations are necessary according to all Indian philosophical systems.

4. Jaina, Buddha, Vedanta and Samkhya explain different ethical principles in detail.

5. Thus Indian philosophy gives proper, though not paramount, place to ethics.

Page 20: Indian Philosophical Systems

1. It is said that Indian Philosophy is bogged down by old ruts.

2. But the mere fact that all Indian philosophers have based their thoughts upon The Upanishads and The Gita does not expose it to this charge of unprogressiveness.

3. The truths with which philosophy deals are eternal and they are comprehended by intuition. They do not change in the wake of scientific progress.

4. Hence The Gita and The Upanishads are as inspiring today as they were ever before.

5. But Indian philosophers are progressive as they put these philosophical truths in new forms according to the change in time and place.

6. The Upanishads and The Bhagwat Gita have been interpreted in their own way by different philosophers like Samkara, Ramanuja and Sri Aurobindo.

Page 21: Indian Philosophical Systems

1. Even if there were periods in the history of Indian Philosophy when its pace was very slow or even arrested for a while, in a panoramic view of the stream of Indian Philosophy, one finds it on the whole dynamic and moving.

2. The philosophers of different philosophical schools like Jaina, Buddha, Nyaya, Vaisesika, Samkhya, Yoga and Vedanta have not only put forth their own theories but also refuted the theories of their opponents.

3. The history of these different schools is in itself an eloquent testimony to the essentially progressive nature of Indian philosophy.

4. Most of the allegations against Indian Philosophy are, thus, one-sided and fallacious.

5. It is heartening to know that now most of them have been refuted.