1st Edition

Epistemology in Classical India The Knowledge Sources of the Nyaya School

By Stephen H Phillips Copyright 2012
    204 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    214 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    In this book, Phillips gives an overview of the contribution of Nyaya--the classical Indian school that defends an externalist position about knowledge as well as an internalist position about justification. Nyaya literature extends almost two thousand years and comprises hundreds of texts, and in this book, Phillips presents a useful overview of the under-studied system of thought. For the philosopher rather than the scholar of Sanskrit, the book makes a whole range of Nyaya positions and arguments accessible to students of epistemology who are unfamiliar with classical Indian systems.

    Acknowledgements  1. Historical and Conceptual Introduction  2. Certification  3. Perception  4. Inference  5. Analogy 6. Testimony  7. Lessons for Analytic Epistemology  Appendix: The Analogy Chapter of ‘‘(Wish-Fulfilling) Jewel of Reflection on the Truth (about Epistemology),’’ Tattva-cintā-mani, by Gangeśa  Notes  Sanskrit Glossary  Texts and Translations  Bibliography  Index

    Biography

    Stephen Phillips is professor of philosophy and Asian studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Author of seven books, including Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth (Columbia University Press), which was named an "Outstanding Academic Title" for 2010 by Choice, Phillips is best known for his first-time translations of late classical Sanskrit philosophic texts.

    "Stephen Phillips' Epistemology in Classical India: The Knowledge Sources of the Nyaya School is a valuable resource, especially for students of Hindu or Buddhist philosophy. The book is successful in demonstrating the rigor with which Indian philosophers approach and attempt (or might attempt) to resolve matters of interest to philosophers today. For this reason, the book is useful to philosophers more generally."Christopher G. Framarin, University of Calgary in Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews