Indian Philosophy

In India, philosophy is called Darshana, i.e. seeing. It is Darshana because through it we can see. Here it is considered not as an end in itself rather as a means with the end as knowledge (Jnana) leading to salvation (Moksha). The origin of Indian Philosophy lies in the direct perception of truth by Vedic Rishis and not in any case by deductively or inductively reaching the truth by logic. And it is this direct perception of truth which had precipitated in the form of Vedas which form the foundation of all Indian Philosophy. The history of Indian Philosophy can be divided in the following three periods:

1. Vedic Period: In this period four vedas namely (i) Rig, (ii) Sam, (iii) Yajur, (iv) Atharva came into being. Each of these four vedas consists the following four portions:
   
   • Samhita: Here the thoughts are expressed in the form of poetical allegory. The ideas are expressed so tersely that it is very difficult to imbibe their true meaning without the help of a proper preceptor.
   • Brahmanas: This represent the practical aspect of the former. Here we find the instructions about various sacrificial acts which must be performed.
   • Aranyaka: In Aranyaka, methods of training of mind are described.
   • Upanishads: These are written mostly in prosaic manner. Here the deep metaphysical questions about ourself, the universe and their interrelations are discussed. Many a time we find these discussions in the form of dialogues between a disciple and his preceptor.
2. Early Post Vedic Period: This is the period of antagonistic thoughts towards Vedic Philosophy. The origin of this opposition can be traced to seemingly over emphasis of ritualism in Vedic Culture.
3. Age of Systems: For the sake of simplicity, this period can be divided into following two portions:
   
   • Aphoristic Period: This period saw the evolution of various branches of philosophy in the proper sense and the composition of aphorisms belonging to different branches. Here it must be very clear that most of aphorisms were based on the teachings of Upanishads.
   • Commentary Period: The above mentioned aphorisms were so abstruse that they were liable to different interpretations. So after the aphoristic period there was an urgent need to explain them. Hence next followed the commentary period. Various commentaries of the same aphoristic texts were proposed to support a particular thought and at the same time to oppose the others.
   
   
    

Western Philosophy

In the west, philosophy (phile - love + sophus - wise) means love for wisdom. The origin of western philosophy can be ascribed to the curiosity to know the external world. The ancient philosophers were amazed at various seemingly unrelated natural phenomena and were anxious to explain the reality behind them. In due course of time as this explanation came of age, it has begetted various branches to philosophy as follows:

1. Metaphysics: It is the study of reality in its true sense. Under this we study existence, time and space, the relationship between mind and body, objects and their properties, whole and their parts, events, processes and causation. Metaphysics can be divided into cosmology, the study of the universe in its wholeness and ontology, the study of being.
2. Epistemology: It is concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge. Under this we study the sources as well as the limitation of knowledge. So the objects of study here are the relationships between truth, belief and theory of justification.
3. Logic: It deals with the principle of correct reasoning. Here we have two types of reasoning, deductive and inductive. In deductive reasoning we start with the general and reach the particular and in inductive reasoning we do the just opposite, that is we start with the particular and reach the general.
4. Ethics: Here, the concepts of right and wrong conduct are studied and moral behaviour of human beings is brooded over.
5. Aesthetics: Under this branch of philosophy we study beauty, art, enjoyment, sensory emotional values, perception and matters of taste and sentiment.

Why Philosophy?

All of us must agree that we are rational beings. Actually it is our developed rationality due to which we differentiate ourselves from the animal world. If we look at an animal closely we find that its action are guided by the blind impetus of senses. The very aim of its existence seems to be sense gratification but this is not the case for most of us, I must say. Whenever we are to take some action and have options we invoke our rational faculty in choosing the right or most suitable course of action. Whatever decision we take it is based on, in most cases, the vague foundation of our understanding about ourselves, the existence and the interrelation between these. This vague understanding is nothing but philosophy at personal level. An eminent english writer has described it as "Men live in accordance with their philosophy of life, there conception of the world. This is true even of the most thoughtless. It is impossible to live without a metaphysic. The choice that is given us is not between some kind of metaphysic and no metaphysic, it is always between a good metaphysic and a bad metaphysic." This is all about philosophy at personal level. But when we try to understand the true nature of ourself, the existence and there interrelation the philosophy in its true sense begins.