LFU:online

An overview of the main philosophical streams in India, historical and thematic considerations, the relation between religion and philosophy in India. To consider more closely specific themes in metaphysics, theory of knowledge and logic in selected schools. Further aims involve ethics and mysticism in the Indian traditions.

Most Indian philosophies are based on certain presuppositions, e.g., the karma and rebirth theory, that life in the world is ultimately painful, that pain and suffering can be overcome, and that there is a path away from pain and suffering, a path that makes possible freedom from the bondage to the cycle of rebirths. A significant exception is Indian materialism (Cārvāka/Lokāyata) which does not accept these presuppositions and criticises them.

In terms of method, Indian philosophy is characterised by dialogue and debate, be it in the disputations which took place in royal courts or in the commentaries to the basic texts of the respective philosophies, commentaries which display scholastic skill in the discussions. Rules for debates were drawn up, indicating what a valid argument entails, the philosophical terms that come in question (e.g., substance, quality and modus), the instruments of cognition and the points which can lead to defeat in an argument.

In a selective overview, these themes and method will be introduced and discussed. The course is also an introduction to Indian philosophy, with the possibility to discuss the themes on the basis of a basic text (e.g. the Sāṅkhya-Kārikā) in translation.

Lectures and Discussions

Oral Presentation (15 minutes).

1. Bary, Theodore Wm. de (ed.), 1958: Sources of Indian Tradition. Vol. I. New York: Columbia University Press.

2. Dasgupta, Surendranath, 1922–1949: A History of Indian Philosophy. Cambridge: University Press, vols 1-4.

3. Frauwallner, Erich:

     1953–1956: Geschichte der indischen Philosophie. Salzburg: Otto Müller Verlag (2 Bände).

1984: Erich Frauwallner: Nachgelassene Werke I: Aufsätze, Beiträge, Skizzen, Wien: Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften. Tr. from the German by J. Soni: Erich Frauwallner’s Posthumous Essays, Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1994.

4. Glasenapp, Helmut von, 1949: Die Philosophie der Inder. Stuttgart: Alfred Kröner Verlag.

5.   Hiriyanna, M., 1932: Outlines of Indian Philosophy. London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd.      

 Hiriyanna, M., 1990: Vom Wesen der indischen Philosophie. Diederichs Gelbe Reihe DG85 Indien. M. Hiriyanna. Aus dem Englischen. übersetzt, mit einer Einleitung, zusätzl. Anmerkungen und einer Bibliogr. versehen von Karl-Heinz Golzio. München: Diederichs.

6. Mall, Ram Adhar and Jayandra Soni: Kleines Lexikon der indischen Philosophie. Freiburg/München: Verlag Karl Alber, 2009.

7.   Potter, Karl H., 1963: Presuppositions of India’s Philosophies. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall Inc.

8.   Ruben, Walter, 1954: Geschichte der indischen Philosophie. Berlin: Deutscher Verlag d. Wiss.

9.  Warder, A.K., 1971: Outline of Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

10.  Zimmer, Heinrich, 1951: Philosophies of India. New York: Pantheon Books.