Introduction to the six systems of Indian Philosophy 12299

Lecturer: Karl-Stephan Bouthillette

Contact: K.Bouthillette@campus.lmu.de
Curriculum: https://lmu-munich.academia.edu/KarlStephanBouthillette
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/karl-stephan-bouthillette/38/a99/36b

Course description

This course aims at being a concise introduction to what are commonly known as the six
systems of Indian philosophies, namely the Nyya, Vaieika, Sakhya, Yoga, Prva and
Uttara Mms (Vednta) schools of ancient Indian though. As these systems progressively
developed over two millennia, through quantity of competing thinkers, a complete review of
each individual system will not be possible within the time frame allowed for the course. The
focus will be placed on acquiring a general understanding of their worldviews, concepts and
methods. Primary and secondary literature will be approached through readings and discussions
and a special importance will be placed on assimilating the significant technical Sanskrit
vocabulary developed within each system. Whenever possible, the ideas expressed by these
ancient schools will be discussed in the light of modern/Western ideas. Interactions between the
schools will also be examined as appropriate.

General topics to be covered

- What kind of sources are we dealing with? (Religious, Philosophical, Scientific or what?)
- General periods in the development of Indian thought
- Reasoning, debate and authority in ancient India
- Traditional categories of Sanskrit texts
- The Nyya-Vaieika systems
- The Skhya-Yoga systems
- The Prva and Uttara Mms systems

Depending on our progression and on the length of each topic, more or less time will be dedicated to each
section. Students are encouraged to express their interest for particular issues as they appear, so that a
more in-depth discussion can be developed. Each student will be expected to select a single system (one
of the six schools) and to prepare a short presentation to be given in class on its main aspects. Classes will
take the form of a seminar, alternating between a more formal lecture and an open discussion.

Reading material

At the end of each class a short selection of reading material (one or two short texts) will be handed to be
discussed on the following week.

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Introduction to the six systems of Indian Philosophy 12299
Bibliography

I strongly recommend looking at:

Radhakrishnan, S., Indian Philosophy, (Vol. 1-2).

For extra reading material, the following selection can be explored. I have put the most popular
general books in Bold. The list is not exhaustive. The library of the Institute contains quantity of
relevant material as well:

1. Acharya, M., The Sarva-darsana-samgraha: or, Review of the different systems of Hindu
philosophy. 1882, Trbner: London.
2. Agrawal, M.M., Six systems of Indian philosophy: the stras of six systems of Indian
philosophy with English translation, transliteration, and indices. 2001, Delhi:
Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan. 803.
3. Ballanfat, M., Introduction aux philosophies de l'Inde. 2002, Paris: Ellipses Marketing.
78.
4. Ballanfat, M., Le vocabulaire des philosophies de l'Inde. 2003, Paris: Ellipses Marketing.
112.
5. Bernard, T., Hindu Philosophy. 1999, New-Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. 213.
6. Bidysgara, ., Madhavacharya: Sarva Darsana Sangraha. 1981: Biblio Verlag. 182.
7. Chatterjee, S.C. and D.M. Datta, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy. 1950, Caulcutta:
University of Calcutta. 443.
8. Cowell, E.B., The Sarva-darana-sagraha: Or, Review of the Different Systems of
Hindu Philosophy. 1996: Motilal Banarsidass. 281.
9. Dasgupta, S., A History of Indian Philosophy. 1992: Motilal Banarsidass. 528.
10. Eliot, C., Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol II. (of 3). 2007, Fairford: Echo Library. 260.
11. Ganeri, J., Philosophy in Classical India, The Proper Work of Reason. 2001, London:
Routledge. 207.
12. Ganeri, J., Philosophy in Classical India: An Introduction and Analysis. 2003: Taylor &
Francis. 216.
13. Grigorieff, V., Les philosophies orientales: l'Inde et la Chine. 2005, Paris: Eyrolles. 319.
14. Halbfass, W., India and Europe: An Essay in Understanding. 1988, New York: State
University of New York Press. 604.
15. Jha, G., The Tattvasagraha of ntarakita. 1986, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers: New
Delhi. p. 1593.
16. Johnson, W.J., A Dictionary of Hinduism. 2010, Oxford: Oxford University Press. 384.
17. Joshi, K.L., Sarva-Darsana-Sangraha of Madhavacarya: Sanskrit text, English
translation, notes & appendix. 1986, New Delhi: Parimal Publ. 391.
18. King, R., Indian Philosophy: An Introduction to Hindu and Buddhist Thought. 1999,
Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
19. Leaman, O., Encyclopaedia of Asian Philosophy. 2013, London: Taylor & Francis. 704.
20. Mohanty, J., Classical Indian Philosophy. 2000, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield
Publishers. 181.
21. Muller, F.M., Six Systems of Indian Philosophy; Samkhya and Yoga; Naya and
Vaiseshika. 2003, Whitefish: Kessinger Publishing.

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Introduction to the six systems of Indian Philosophy 12299
22. Murty, R., Indian Philosophy: An Introduction. 2012, Calgary: Broadview Press. 170.
23. Nicholson, A.J., Unifying Hinduism: Philosophy and Identity in Indian Intellectual
History. 2010, New York: Columbia University Press. 266
24. Plott, J.C., Sarva-darsana-sangraha: a select bibliography for the global history of
philosophy. 1966. 828
25. Potter, K.H., Encyclopedia of Indian philosophies
26. Rajadhyaksha, N.D., The six systems of Indian philosophy. 1959. 150.
27. Raju, P.T., The Philosophical Traditions of India. 2013, London: Taylor & Francis. 256.
28. Ram-Prasad, C., Indian Philosophy and the Consequences of Knowledge: Themes in
Ethics, Metaphysics and Soteriology. 2007, Farnham Ashgate Pub. 176.
29. Ranganathan, S., Ethics and the History of Indian Philosophy. 2007, New-Delhi: Motilal
Banarsidass Publishers. 402.
30. Sen, A., The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity.
2006, London: Penguin Adult.
31. Smith, W.C., The Meaning and End of religion. 1991, Minneapolis: Fortress Press. 340.
32. Suali, L., Sad-darsana-samuccaya: a review of the six systems of hindu philosophy : with
Gunaratna's commentary Tarkarahasyadipika, ed. B.I.a.c.o.o.w.w.n. 167. Calcutta:
Asiatic Society. 310.
33. Sri, H., Sad-Darana Samuccaya, A Compendium of Six Philosophies. 1986, Delhi:
Eastern Book Linkers. 120.
34. Swamy, M.S., Haribhadrasris a-darana-samuccaya. 1977, Bangalore: Prasaranga,
Bangalore University. 103.
35. Vidhyabhusana, S.C., The Nyya Stras of Gotama. 1993, New Delhi: Munshiram
Manoharlal publishers. 175.
36. Vidyabhusana, S.C., A History of Indian Logic: Ancient, Mediaeval, and Modern
Schools. 1921, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. 648.
37. Winternitz, M., A History of Indian Literature: pt.1. Introduction and Veda. 1963,
Calcutta: University of Calcutta.
38. Zimmer, H., Philosophies of India. 1952, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul LTD.
709.
39. Zydenbos, R.J., The Significance of Indian Religions for the Science of Religion, in
Einheit der Wirklichkeiten. Festschrift anlsslich des 60. Geburtstags von Michael von
Brck., M. Verlag, Editor. 2009: Munich. p. 319-338.

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