Intro to Indian Philosophy

Unit 1 – Indian Philosophy: Overview & History

Unit 2 – Upanishads and Brahman in Vedic Philosophy

Unit 3 – Jainism: Key Concepts and Emergence

Unit 4 – The Buddha's Core Teachings: 4 Truths & 8 Paths

Unit 5 – Buddhist Schools: Abhidharma to Yogācāra

Unit 6 – Hindu Philosophy: The Six Orthodox Schools

Unit 7 – Nyāya: Logic and Theory of Knowledge

Unit 8 – Vaiśeṣika: Atomism and Categories of Reality

Unit 9 – Sāṃkhya: Dualism and Causation Theory

Unit 10 – Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras: The Eight Limbs

Unit 11 – Mīmāṃsā: Vedic Exegesis and Dharma

Unit 12 – Vedānta: Major Schools of Thought

Unit 13 – Bhakti and Tantra: Devotional Indian Traditions

Unit 14 – Indian Ethics: Dharma, Karma, and Mokṣa

Unit 15 – Indian Philosophy: Modern Impact & Relevance

## What do you learn in Introduction to Indian Philosophy

You'll explore the major philosophical traditions of India, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The course covers key concepts like karma, dharma, and moksha, as well as influential thinkers and texts. You'll dive into debates on consciousness, reality, and ethics from an Indian perspective, and see how these ideas have shaped Eastern thought and culture.

## Is Introduction to Indian Philosophy hard?

It can be challenging, especially if you're new to philosophy or Eastern thought. The concepts can get pretty abstract, and there are lots of Sanskrit terms to learn. But most students find it super interesting, which helps balance out the difficulty. As long as you keep up with the readings and engage in class discussions, you should be fine.

## Tips for taking Introduction to Indian Philosophy in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Make flashcards for key Sanskrit terms and concepts
3. Read primary texts slowly and carefully - don't rush through them
4. Discuss ideas with classmates to deepen your understanding
5. Try meditation or yoga to experience some concepts firsthand
6. Watch "The Matrix" and look for parallels with Indian philosophy
7. Read Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha" for a Western take on Indian ideas
8. Check out the podcast "History of Indian and Africana Philosophy"

## Common pre-requisites for Introduction to Indian Philosophy

1. Introduction to World Religions: Surveys major global religions, their beliefs, practices, and historical development. Provides a foundation for understanding diverse faith traditions.

2. Introduction to Philosophy: Explores fundamental philosophical questions and methods of reasoning. Introduces students to critical thinking and analysis of arguments.

3. Asian Civilizations: Examines the history, culture, and social structures of various Asian societies. Offers context for understanding the development of Indian philosophical traditions.

## Classes similar to Introduction to Indian Philosophy

1. Buddhist Philosophy: Focuses on the philosophical aspects of Buddhism, including theories of mind, reality, and ethics. Explores how Buddhist thought has evolved across different cultures and time periods.

2. Hinduism: Dives deep into Hindu beliefs, practices, and texts. Examines the diversity within Hinduism and its impact on Indian culture and society.

3. Comparative Philosophy: Puts Eastern and Western philosophical traditions in conversation. Explores similarities and differences in how various cultures approach big questions about existence and meaning.

4. Yoga Philosophy: Examines the philosophical foundations of yoga practice. Covers key texts like the Yoga Sutras and explores how yoga philosophy relates to other Indian traditions.

## Majors related to Introduction to Indian Philosophy

1. Religious Studies: Explores various religious traditions, their histories, texts, and practices. Students learn to analyze religious phenomena from multiple perspectives and understand their cultural impacts.

2. Philosophy: Focuses on critical thinking, logic, and exploring fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and ethics. Students engage with diverse philosophical traditions and develop strong analytical skills.

3. Asian Studies: Examines the cultures, histories, and societies of Asia. Students gain a deep understanding of Asian languages, arts, religions, and political systems.

4. Anthropology: Studies human cultures and societies, both past and present. Students learn about diverse belief systems, social structures, and cultural practices around the world.

## What can you do with a degree in Introduction to Indian Philosophy?

1. Religious Studies Professor: Teaches courses on world religions and philosophy at the college level. Conducts research and publishes academic papers on topics related to Indian philosophy and religion.

2. Cultural Consultant: Advises businesses and organizations on cultural sensitivity and diversity issues. Helps bridge cultural gaps and promote understanding in multicultural environments.

3. Yoga Instructor: Teaches yoga classes and workshops, incorporating philosophical concepts into practice. May also lead retreats or training programs for aspiring yoga teachers.

4. Interfaith Chaplain: Provides spiritual support and counseling in hospitals, prisons, or universities. Draws on knowledge of diverse religious traditions to serve people of various faiths.

## Introduction to Indian Philosophy FAQs

1. Do I need to know Sanskrit to take this course? While knowing Sanskrit can be helpful, it's not required. Key terms will be explained in English.

2. How does Indian philosophy compare to Western philosophy? Indian philosophy often focuses more on practical ways to live and achieve liberation, while Western philosophy tends to be more theoretical. You'll explore these differences in depth during the course.

3. Will we discuss modern applications of Indian philosophy? Yes, many classes touch on how ancient Indian ideas influence contemporary thought and practices. You might explore topics like mindfulness meditation or yoga philosophy.

Philosophy

1.1 Defining Indian Philosophy and its scope

1.2 Historical periods and major philosophical developments

1.3 Key characteristics of Indian philosophical traditions

1.4 Influence of geography and culture on Indian thought

2.1 Introduction to Vedic literature and its significance

2.2 Core concepts in the Upanishads

2.3 The nature of Brahman and Atman

2.4 Philosophical interpretations of Vedic rituals

3.1 Historical context and origins of Jainism

3.2 Fundamental principles of Jain philosophy

3.3 Jain metaphysics and epistemology

3.4 Jain ethics and the concept of ahimsa

4.3 The Eightfold Path and its philosophical implications

4.4 Early Buddhist schools and their doctrines

4.2 The Four Noble Truths

4.1 Life and enlightenment of the Buddha

5.1 Abhidharma: Systematic analysis of reality

5.2 Madhyamaka: The philosophy of the Middle Way

5.3 Yogācāra: Mind-only school and its theories

5.4 Comparative analysis of major Buddhist philosophical schools

6.1 Classification and interrelationships of the six schools

6.2 Common themes and divergences among orthodox schools

6.3 Historical development and key figures

7.2 Nyāya epistemology and sources of valid knowledge

7.3 The nature of inference and debate in Nyāya

7.4 Nyāya's critique of Buddhist philosophy

7.1 Foundations of Nyāya logic and reasoning

8.1 Vaiśeṣika's atomic theory and pluralistic realism

8.2 The six categories (padārthas) of reality

8.3 Vaiśeṣika's theory of causation

8.4 Relationship between Nyāya and Vaiśeṣika

9.1 Sāṃkhya's dualistic metaphysics: Prakṛti and Puruṣa

9.2 The evolution of the universe in Sāṃkhya

9.3 Sāṃkhya's theory of causation (Satkāryavāda)

9.4 The concept of liberation in Sāṃkhya philosophy

10.1 Introduction to Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras

10.2 The eight limbs of Yoga and their philosophical significance

10.3 Yoga psychology and the nature of mind

10.4 Comparison of Yoga and Sāṃkhya philosophies

11.1 Mīmāṃsā's approach to Vedic interpretation

11.2 The concept of Dharma in Mīmāṃsā philosophy

11.3 Mīmāṃsā's theory of language and meaning

11.4 Critique of other philosophical schools by Mīmāṃsā

12.1 Advaita Vedānta: Non-dualism and māyā

12.2 Viśiṣṭādvaita: Qualified non-dualism

12.3 Dvaita: Dualism and the nature of reality

12.4 Comparative analysis of major Vedānta schools

13.1 Philosophical foundations of Bhakti traditions

13.2 Key concepts and practices in Tantric philosophy

13.3 Relationship between Bhakti, Tantra, and classical schools

14.3 The nature and paths to Mokṣa (liberation)

14.4 Social and political thought in Indian philosophy

14.2 Karma theory and its ethical implications

14.1 The concept of Dharma across Indian philosophical traditions

15.1 Indian philosophy in the modern world

15.2 Comparative studies with Western philosophy

15.3 Applications of Indian philosophy in psychology and cognitive science

15.4 Ethical and environmental perspectives from Indian philosophy

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