Author: P T Raju
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 256
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120809831
Description
One of the most readable and lucid introduction yet written, this book is designed for the student or layman with little or no knowledge of Indian philosophy.
The author explains the basic form s and the conceptual framework of Indian philosophy in simple language, gradually guiding the reader towards the more complicated or difficult concepts. He gives due weight to logic and metaphysics and refrains from the temptation of indiscriminately reading Western doctrines into Oriental wisdom, yet draws astute comparisons with Western philosophy where justified. Both oversimplification and unnecessary complexity are avoided.
No acquaintance with Sanskrit is assumed on the part of the reader and Sanskrit terms (which re given in brackets wherever useful) are kept to the minimum in the main text. New translations of many new terms have been adopted in the light of the latest studies and research, and a full glossary and index have been provided for ease of reference.
COMMENTS:
Metaphysics is the subject of the author's discussion, his aim is to present a clear, useful, and free-from-ambiguities introduction to Indian philosophy. In doing this, the reader is taken through traditional Hindu thought and ideology: the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Activist tradition and the Mimamsa, and the materialistic tradition of the Caracas. Finally, what can one say about this book which is written by no less a philosopher than P T Raju, a lifelong and close associate of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, another stalwart in the field. One can say that it is a very good guided tour. Prema Raghunath, Vedanta Kesari
This is a commendable achievement on Raju's part. Though not writing a history of Indian philosophy, he shows a way of doing it. The novelty of the book lies in the fact that problems and sometimes parts of philosophical systems, are clubbed together under some unifying concepts. Arun K Mookerjee, The Statesman
The arrangement of the chapters has a novelty. This is because Prof. Raju aims to prove that Indian philosophy is basically a philosophy of action, and it is action that relates the main traditions to one another. Prof. Raju deserves appreciation specially or high-lighting the Mimamsa school (Chapter IV) in this context. This book is he fruit of deep knowledge of the Indian philosophical traditions. It will not only help the western scholars to understand Indian philosophy, but will also inspire the researches to explore new dimensions in the field. Maya Das, The Visva-Bharati Journal of Philosophy