History of Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization: Philosophical Concepts Relevant to Sciences in Indian Tradition (Volume III, Part 5)

The volumes of the project of History of Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization aim to discover the central aspects of India’s heritage and present them in an interrelated manner.  In spite of their unitary look, these volumes recognize the difference between the areas of material civilization and those of ideational culture.  Contributions are made by different scholars of diverse ideological persuasions and methodological approaches.  The project is marked by what may be called ‘methodological pluralism’.  The themes covered in this present volume under the caption of philosophical concepts relevant to social sciences may be viewed either as supplementary to the themes falling under philosophical concepts relevant to natural sciences or independently.  These two sets of concepts have understandable overlap.  Their common philosophical concepts relevant to natural sciences or independently.  These two sets of concepts have understandable overlap.  Their common philosophical parentage cannot escape one’s discerning attention.  A close reading of the papers contributed to this volume makes it clear that the basic themes of Indian systems of philosophy have been open-ended and interactive with their counterparts as available in other civilizations and systems of thought and action.  Two separate Introductions relating to natural and social sciences would help the readers to follow the contents and the structure of the work.  Students, researchers and the general reader are bound to find this volume very interesting and instructive.