Classical Indian Philosophy Reinterpreted

Classical Indian Philosophy Reinterpreted consists of articles written by Victoria Lysenko and Michel Hulin — two distinguished scholars of international repute — on some basic concepts of classical Indian philosophy such as paramanu (atoms), samanya (universal), ahamkara (ego principle), and karma. These essays address important debates and issues that have arisen centering around Indian philosophical texts. In an essay an attempt has been made to resolve the apparent contradiction between the psychological and cosmic aspects of tattva in the scheme of the Samkhya dualism. One of the major contributions of this volume consists in situating Indian concepts from a comparative perspective as well. A comparative account of Aristotle's Means (Mesotes) and Buddha's Middle path (Majjihima Patipada) is illuminating. The notion of Christian reincarnation has also been compared and contrasted with the Indian concept of karma. The karmic principle has been interpreted as a mechanism for retribution and the link between karmic causality and the role of Ayurveda, the classical Indian science of medicine, has been explored and analysed. These essays share a common perspective in looking at philosophy from within the cultural traditions in which it grows. This book will be useful to researchers, academicians and other interested persons. Even a reader who is not familiar with classical Indian philosophical texts can form some idea about the rigour and thoroughness of Indian philosophical approach.