Discovering Indian Philosophy - by Jeffery D Long (Hardcover)

About the Book

"With a history dating back at least 3000 years, the philosophical tradition of India is one of the oldest to continue to thrive today. Encompassing a wide variety of worldviews, Indian philosophy includes perspectives that have ongoing relevance to contemporary issues such as the nature of consciousness, the relationship between philosophy and the good life, the existence of a divine reality, and the meaning of happiness. Contrary to widespread stereotypes, Indian philosophy is not simply an extension of Indian religion. Scepticism is a pervasive feature of this discourse, and there is even a school of thought which affirms materialism. The idea of a divine reality is debated extensively, not only in terms of the existence of such a reality-"Is there a God?"-but also in terms of its nature-"What is God?" This book, drawing upon some of the latest research in the field, traces the history of the Indian philosophical tradition from ancient times to the present, outlining the views and major thinkers of such schools of thought as Vedanta, Jainism, Buddhism, and many more. Jeffery D. Long treats each system, however, not simply as an historical artifact, but as a living reality with important insights to offer our world today. It is essential reading for anyone interested in world philosophies and how they address the 'big questions' that have always engaged human beings"--

Book Synopsis

Indian Philosophy: An Introduction helps readers discover how the many and varied schools of Indian thought can answer some of the great questions of life: Who are we? How can we live well? How do we tell truth from lies?

Accessibly written for readers new to Indian philosophy, the book takes you through the main traditions of thought, including Buddhist, Hindu and Jain perspectives on major philosophical topics from ancient times to the present day. Bringing insights from the latest research to bear on the key primary sources from these traditions and setting them in their full spiritual, historical and philosophical contexts, Indian Philosophy: An Introduction covers such topics as:

- Philosophies of action and knowledge
- Materialism and scepticism
- Consciousness and duality
- Religious and cultural expressions

The book includes a pronunciation guide to Sanskrit and Indic language terms and a comprehensive guide to further reading for those wishing to take their study further.

Review Quotes

"Spanning the gamut from ancient Vedic thought to modern philosophical figures, Jeffery Long provides a lucid and comprehensive introduction to Indian philosophy. Written in the voice of a seasoned teacher, this engaging book would be welcomed both by university students as well as lifelong learners interested in Indic thought." --Raj Balkaran, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, UK

"Long presents the story of Indian philosophy in a clear and readable narrative that weaves together historical, cultural, religious, and philosophical discussions to paint a compelling, vivid, and nuanced portrait of the Indian philosophical tradition." --Joel Feldman, Rider University, USA

"This book is a laudable venture, especially because of the author's approach to present a multi-faceted, millennia-old dialogical tradition under the caption of 'Discovering Indian Philosophy', not simply as a matter of antiquarian interest but as a living and growing enterprise. Jeffery Long has first-hand knowledge of the Upanisadic, Buddhist and Jaina traditions, which he has studied and taught over many years. His focus on specific issues and concerns demonstrates his philosophical sensitivity and capacity to render the relevance of these ideas from the Indic sources for human enquiry, as recorded in the global history of ideas. The construal of the very idea of philosophy in the Indian context is done by analyzing such Sanskrit words as Darsana and Anviksiki that can add a new dimension to the age-old discussions on the conflicts between science, philosophy and religion in the Western discourse. There are many more such examples in the text." --Anindita N. Balslev, Founder, Forum CCC (Cross-cultural Conversation)

About the Author

Jeffery D. Long is Professor of Religion and Asian Studies at Elizabethtown College, USA. Jeffery specializes in the religions and philosophies of India. He is the author of several books and numerous articles, as well the editor of the series Explorations in Indic Traditions.