World View and Theory in Indian Philosophy

Contents: Preface. 1. World views in contention and exchange. 2. World views and systems. 3. World views and persons. 4. Theory of world view. General index.

World View and Theory in Indian Philosophy explores the complex and rarely investigated relation between world views upheld by Indian philosophers and philosophical theories they developed. What was the actual background social cultural religious linguistic, etc. of world views and philosophical concepts in ancient and classical India? How did world views influence philosophical theories developed in ancient and mediaeval South Asia? Is it at all possible to draw a distinction between a philosophical theory and a world view in Indian context?

These are by no means trivial questions, and the insight gained through their analysis in the context of Indian culture can also contribute to our better understanding of philosophical enquiry in other cultural contexts where philosophy was cultivated. (jacket)