Theories of Indian Philosophy

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About the Book "It begins with the general principles of Indian Philosophy, which are opposed to those of Western philosophy; and it shows what practical effect they have upon human life, how the extreme fanatics lived and still do live, and how the principles were compromised to include practical morality. It begins with the Upanishads, and proceeds with Samikhya doctrine, Jainism, Buddhism, Buddha, and the later developments of Buddhism, Brahmanic doctrine, Hinduism, Vedanta and Bhakti, Mysticism, and modern Indian Philosophy." About the Author "Dr. Schwitzer is an able and conscien tious histrian, who is not content with superficial narrative to force his moral lesson on the reader... The whole book is pervaded by the author's personal and lifelong interest in the reconciliation f practical ethics and mystical nomism."

Preface I have written this short account of Development of Indian Philosophy in the hope that it may help people in Europe to become better acquainted than they are at present with the ideas it stands for and the great personalities in. whom these ideas are embodied.

To gain an insight into Indian philosophy, and to analyse it and discuss our differences, must necessarily make European philosophy clearer and richer.

If we really want to understand the philosophy of India we must get clear about the problems it has to face and how it deals with them. What we have to do is to set forth and explain the process of development it has passed through from the time of the Vedic hymns down to the present day.

I am fully conscious of the difficulty of describing definite lines of development in a philosophy which possesses in so remarkable a degree the will and the ability not to perceive contrasts as such, and allows ideas of heterogeneous character to subsist side by side and even brings them into connection with each other. But I believe that we, the people of the West, shall only rightly comprehend what Indian philosophy really is and what is its significance for the philosophy of all mankind, if we succeed in gaining an insight into its processes.

Like every European who studies Indian philosophy, I am deeply indebted to the scholars who have published the texts and been responsible for the fundamental work of research.

**Contents and Sample Pages**