Aims

An introduction to the main Indian philosophical currents. Rather than erudite information, the aim is to bring to light their specific problematic compared with the Western ways of thinking.

Main themes

A. The philosophical notions hidden in the Vedic religious literature; the main philosophical themes of the Upanishads : advaita, âtman, brahman… The philosophical structure of the samsâra teaching in connection with the theory of karman and the perspective of moksa.
B. A selective introduction to the six darsanas of Brahminical thought (Sâmkhya-Yoga; Nyâya-Vaisesika; Mîmâmsâ-Vedânta); study of the doctrines pertaining to Vedânta and Sâmkhya-Yoga.
C. Introduction to the main heterodox traditions : Jainism and especially Buddhism ; their philosophical foundations and the metaphysical developments of the "emptiness" and "idealist" schools.
N.B. A reading and commentary of relevant texts shall illustrate the lectures.

Content and teaching methods

Synthetic lectures, together with the reading of selected texts (in translation), shall present the more important philosophical themes underlying Indian thought from the Vedic origins upto the brahminical and the heterodox schools. Particular attention shall be paid to Upanishadic teachings (non-duality, karma, transmigration and liberation), to the Sâmkhya doctrines as well as to the philosophical foundations and the Indian developments of Buddhist thought.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : none.
Evaluation : oral exam.
Teaching materials : a selection of translated texts; a bibliography.

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