Thank you a-TB, mskmoorthy, and Prasad1 for your comments. All of you have given me a lot to think about and I am quite excited to dive deep into the resources suggested by mskmoorthy and Prasad1 after my semester exams are complete. I plan on updating my progress on this forum and would greatly appreciate it if you would offer your opinions/ ideas/ resources in the future!
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.
My coursework is entirely tied to the legal system, and my motivation for pursuing a PhD is mostly for the opportunity to engage in academic discourse. I understand that it would be more "sensible" to get a D.Phil in Law or Public Policy but I feel that philosophy as a subject allows for more abstract theories to be theorised. After my 4-7 years at grad school, I do plan on finding work within the legal fold or some other affiliated field like policy or politics and will be pursuing this for the sake of personal gratification.
By Indian logic I am not referring to the Nyaya-sutras alone but rather Nastika and Astika schools of philosophy (Nyaya, Vedanta, Mimansa, Samkhya, et cetera). At the moment I am in the preliminary stages and have not narrowed it down to which school yet.
I am open to any idea as I have a couple of years to prepare and fine-tune my thesis proposal. My core interest lies in comparative studies as well as something of relevance to us in this day and age.
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.
I think I am facing some issues in narrowing the scope, considering how many different approaches and sub-fields/schools exist. Furthermore, I am hoping to make it rooted in philosophy and then have an extremely short section on effects and solutions (if any). I believe that to be the major cause for the extremely open-ended thesis statement.
At the moment, I am looking at the evolution from preclassical to classical in Indian philosophy and its Greek-roman counterpart, as most of the modern philosophy that is taken as gospel in the West is based on Greek and Roman philosophy. I am a bit unsure if I want to take a mainstream approach as it has been covered to a good degree, and a new thesis would essentially be the grammar nazi equivalent.
I do plan on focusing on colonial and post-colonial figures, particularly Ramakrishna Paramahansa as he had essentially changed the philosophical outlook of most Indian Hindus and allowed for the emergence of a new outlook, one that heavily incorporated western ideals of the time. I am still looking into other philosophers of the yesteryear and trying to get a better idea though.
