The intersection of Indian and Western Philosophy

[OKO]

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Namaskaram.

I am interested in pursuing a PhD in philosophy after finishing my current coursework and want to start preparing my thesis at this juncture. The rough idea I have at the moment is understanding the differences between Indian logic and moral conduct and that of the West and how colonisation and globalisation has affected the two. The idea is for me to explore the reasoning quotient of it and the evolution of the aforesaid. At the moment I am not sure if I would like to add epistemological thought to this as this itself seems quite vast.

I would like to solicit the opinion of scholars with knowledge of Indian thought for recommendations of books (English and Sanskrit preferable but it is alright if the books are written in Tamil or Grantham) and any other thoughts you might have. Furthermore, I welcome all opinions (as long as they are constructive) on my current prompt and any tips on how to fine-tune it.

 

[a-TB]

Wishing you the best in your pursuits.

I’m curious about what motivates you to pursue a PhD in Philosophy. Most PhD programs require a high level of specialization in a relatively narrow area. Your choice of topic will likely depend on the expertise of your thesis advisor.

After several years of study, earning the title "Dr." could help prepare you for an academic career—though I hope you're financially prepared for the journey.

I don’t claim to be a scholar or hold any notable status. However, since this discussion is in the religion section, I’m struggling to see its connection to Philosophy.

Morality is highly subjective and varies across time and place. While we can evaluate the societal impact of specific moral codes, they continue to evolve.

When you refer to Indian logic, are you referencing the works of the Nyāya philosophers (Naiyāyikas) or something else?

Western logic, in recent times, seems more oriented toward scientific disciplines. There are some truly exceptional philosophers in this tradition—several of whom I admire. As for Western morality, it is also quite subjective, though it’s worth exploring the universal aspects of morality and how they compare across Eastern and Western cultures.

I’m not entirely sure I fully understand or appreciate the prompt. If you could clarify your interests and explain how pursuing a PhD aligns with your dream career, it would make it easier to offer thoughtful suggestions.

While I can think of a few topics that greatly interest me, they might not align with your prompt.

 

[mskmoorthy]

Here is a link to a Ph. D thesis titled "Publication: Defending the Authority of Scripture: Testimony as a Source of Knowledge in Classical Indian Philosophy of Religion" submitted to Harvard University in 2019 - https://dash.harvard.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/9baf36fa-6816-436c-97f5-e99dbaa57f44/content just to give you an idea . You can look at the abstract here https://dash.harvard.edu/entities/publication/17aca3a4-285e-4dc9-ada8-34e59e4dcac3 One way is to look at other Ph D theses submitted on related topics to give you an idea of breadth and depth.

 

[prasad1]

I am not a scholar, but always have an opinion, and collection of thoughts.

Your research direction sounds incredibly rich and promising. Since you're focusing on Indian logic and moral conduct in comparison to Western frameworks, I recommend starting with foundational texts in both traditions:

Indian Logic and Moral Conduct
"The Nyaya Sutras of Gautama" (with English translations) – Foundational for Indian logic, particularly Nyaya's reasoning methods.
"Tarka Sangraha" by Annambhatta – A concise introduction to Indian logic and epistemology.
"The Essentials of Indian Philosophy" by M. Hiriyanna – Offers clear insights into Indian philosophical systems.
"The Concept of Moral Order in India" by Sukhalaji Sanghavi – Explores moral frameworks rooted in Indian thought.
"History of Indian Philosophy" by Surendranath Dasgupta – Comprehensive for understanding the evolution of logic and moral conduct in Indian thought.
Colonialism and Globalization's Impact
"The Loss of Hindustan: The Invention of India" by Manan Ahmed Asif – A critical examination of how colonial narratives reshaped Indian historical consciousness.
"Argument and Authority in Early Modern India" by Jonardon Ganeri – Focuses on Indian philosophical debates and their transformation during colonial encounters.
Comparative Thought and Reasoning
"Comparative Philosophy and the Philosophy of Scholarship" by Andrew Tuck – Offers insights into cross-cultural logic and epistemology.
"Indian Philosophy: An Introduction to Hindu and Buddhist Thought" by Richard King – Useful for understanding how these traditions differ from Western frameworks.
Language-Specific Resources
For Tamil and Grantham resources, texts like the Tirukkural (focused on moral conduct) or Neethi Neri Vilakkam might align well with your interests. Additionally, seeking resources from institutes like the Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute could be highly rewarding.

Fine-Tuning Your Thesis
Clarify the scope: Will you focus on a specific school of Indian logic (e.g., Nyaya, Mimamsa) or Western frameworks (e.g., Kantian ethics, utilitarianism)?
Consider case studies: Examining colonial and postcolonial figures (e.g., Radhakrishnan, Gandhi) could ground your exploration.
Engage with living scholars: Reaching out to professors or joining online forums like the Indian Philosophy Network may yield valuable insights.