VAISESIKA PHILOSOPHY

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The Vaisesika philosophy has not hitherto been much studied, though it seems to deserve a thorough investigation. As regards its scope, it differs considerably in many respects from the metaphysical systems of the Samkhya and the Vedanta, and its epistemological basis, natural philosophy, and consequently its mechanical view are more consistently elaborated than might be expected in a school of ancient Indian philosophy. The present little work does not attempt, as will be apparent, to give a systematic and exhaustive exposition of all the theories of the school; but I have tried, in the course of my explanations of the translation, to expound some fundamental and characteristic thoughts, where they might be helpful in the understanding of passage. The work is, however, designed primarily not for scholars, but for beginners, in view of whom the bulk of the Introduction and the Notes has been written. I am fully aware of many imperfections. In particular, I ought to say that the statements concerning the origin and development of the Nyaya reasoning (pp. 82-4 $ 2) are according to my subsequent investigations not correct. It is hoped that the reader will not attach importance to the passage, which fortunately is not essential to the main purpose of the Introduction.

Dr. F. W. Thomas has kindly corrected my English, and his rigorous criticism has detected throughout the work many of my oversights. He has also helped me in all matters connected with the reading of the proofs, the subject, the arrangement, and the form. But no changes have been made without my assent, and I retain a full responsibility for all the features of the work. For a kindness, which is too great to particularize or to repay, and without which the work could not have come into existence, I owe my most sincere thanks.

A special debt of gratitude is also due to Professor Garbe and Professor Takakusu, to whose instruction I owe a part of he material used in the Introduction, and to Professor dela Valle poussin, professor MacDonnell, Miss Hughes, and Mr. E. J. Thomas, who have been kind to me in many ways.