Classical Samkhya: A Critical Study

About the Book:

In this book, the author has tried to give an exhaustive and critical exposition of the philosophical position of the Samkhya school. The introduction chapter of the book gives a philosophical characterization of the Samkhya school, emphasizing specially its realistic and rationalistic aspects. Another noteworthy chapter is on Epistemology, which give, for the first time, a thorough and critical analysis of the knowledge - situation of the Samkhya school and brings into bold relief the distinctive features of the Samkhya - epistemology in relation to the epistemological positions of other schools of Indian philosophy. The chapters on Ethics and Religion are also quite impressive. The author has also done well by including an appendix which considers the problem of the existence of God from the perspectives of the philosophical reflection of India and the west.

About the Author:

Dr. Anima Sen Gupta has employed her critical and penetrating faculties for a constructive and sympathetic understanding of many knotty problems of the Samkhya philosophy and she has also expanded them in a lucid, convincing and impressive manner.

CONTENTS

Foreword
Prelude
Introduction

CHAPTER 1
EPISTEMOLOGY Nature of Knowledge
Can Purusa be a Saksi in the Advaita Sense?
Comments
Sources of Knowledge
Validity and Invalidity of Knowledge
Meaning of Svatahgrahyatva in Regard to Pramanya and Apramanya
Definition of Svatahgrahyatva of Apramanya from the Samkhya Point of View

CHAPTER 2
METAPHYSICS Theory of the Gunas
Prakrti and the Disturbance of the Prakrti State
Purusa
Multiplicity of Selves
Bhoktribhava
Evolution
The Samkhya Theory of Causation
Non-Causality of Pursa

CHAPTER 3
ETHICS The Samkhya Conception of Subha and Asubha (Good and Evil)
Viparyayas
Organic Injuries (Indriya-Vadha)
Nine Tustis and their Viparyayas
Siddhis
Conclusion
Liberation

CHAPTER 4
THEOLOGY Meaning of Samkhya Atheism (Nirisvaravada)

APPENDIX The Problem of the Existence of God
Samkara's View
Samkhya-Yoga on God
Conclusion.

Bibliography

Index