Selected Doctrines from Indian Philosophy

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The book deals with the development of some concepts and doctrines in Indian philosophy. The topics are: the Will, Evolution, Jivanmukti and the relationship between Sakti and Saktiman. The span is from the Vedas, through the upanisads and different systems of Indian philosophy, upto the 20th century philosophy like Aurobindo. Radhakrishnan and Viveknanda. This approach is different from the customary way of studying system by system. This is not a mere enumeration of the developments of a doctrine in different systems. The Indian ideas are critically compared with the Western thought in philosophy and science, especially the latter. This helped in understanding the ancient concepts better. For instance, the analogy of a catalytic action in chemistry explains the role of purusa in the Samkhya evolution much better than what could be done in all these centuries. The three Gunas are compared with the genes from genetics. A law of conservation of instincts (Vasanas) could be stated. The Sakti-saktiman relationship debated for centuries in Indian philosophy is compared with the relationship between the electron and its charge. The concept of Jivanmukta is compared with the superman of Aurobindo, the geniuses of Schopenhauer and the faithfuls of Martin Luther. The doctrine of will with its modifications in all Indian systems is compared with that of Schopenhauer, Neitzsche and others in the West. Studies in animal behaviour are included to explain some aspects of will. Bergsonâ€™s account of the evolution of organs as a result of desire is found in Yoga-Vasistha. These are only a few illustrative examples of the many novel features of comparison and elucidation of concepts in Indian philosophy with the aid of modern science and philosophy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vet Ury Ramakrishna Rao

Born in 1921, Prof. Ramakrishna Rao Vetury Received his D.Sc. degree in Physics from the Andhra University in 1950. After two years of post-doctoral studies in the U.S.A. he worked as REader in Physics upto 1960, teaching and guiding research for Ph.D. From 1960-66 he worked in Defence Ministry, designing sophisticated instruments for the armed forces. In 1966, he returned to the Andhra University as Professor and Head of the Department of Applied Physics where. In addition to academic research, he continued the work of designing Instruments, leading to technology transfer to private industry, till he retired in 1981. His publications include papers in specroscopy, solid state thin films etc. He was honorary professor in the Philosophy department (1982-85). He also worked as Co-ordinator of the College Develoopment Council in the Andhra University from 1982-85. During the last twelve years, the author's interests shifted to the history and philosophy of science and the impact of science on society. The interest, for the present, settled down to Indian philosophy and modern thought with particular reference to science. the present book is a continuation of the earlier book on the Upnisads and modern thought extended to the other systems of Indian philosophy and on allied topics.