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Classical Samkhya and Yoga: An Indian Metaphysics of Experience
Samkhya and Yoga are two of the oldest and most influential systems of classical Indian philosophy. This book provides a thorough analysis of the systems in order to fully understand Indian philosophy. Placing particular emphasis on the metaphysical schema which underlies both concepts, the author adeptly develops a new interpretation of the standard views on Samkhya and Yoga. Drawing upon existing sources and using insights from both Eastern and Western philosophy and religious practice, this comprehensive interpretation is respectful to the underlying spiritual purpose of the Indian systems. It serves to illuminate the relation between the theoretical and practical dimensions of Samkhya and Yoga. The book fills a gap in current scholarship and will be of interest to those concerned with Indology as well as philosophies in general and their similarities and differences with other traditions.
- GenresPhilosophy
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2006
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May 22, 2023
The standard summary of Samkhya (aka 'Sankhya') philosophy includes an account wherein Prakriti (primordial nature or matter), activated by Purusha (consciousness) evolves the 24 tattvas (principles) that constitute the world. These 24 tattvas include both mental and physical entities whose successive development is described in a highly systematic manner. Another aspect of the standard account of Samkhya is that it is a 'realist' viewpoint in contrast to those classical Indian philosophies characterized as tending toward idealism. Denoting Samkhya as 'realist' is to claim that it denies that the above mentioned evolutionary process and its products are mere ideas, images, or projections of consciousness, but that they have 'objective' existence.
Understood in this way, Samkhya is a fascinating historic philosophical theory or system. It may be included among the many pre-modern, pre-scientific theories promulgated in different parts of the world. However, such a perspective may preclude regarding Samkhya as having any relevance or viability for a modern, science-influenced worldview. Matters become complicated, however, when one seeks to somehow reconcile the latter modern outlook with traditional Indian Philosophy.
A great deal of traditional Indian Philosophy can be embraced, or at least seriously entertained, without running into conflict with a modern conception of the world. This especially applies to teachings pertaining to the development of consciousness. But what about the Samkhyan account of cosmogenesis? Taken at face value, it is hard for the modern mind to take it seriously. Burley himself puts it thus:
“It is, I think, unsurprising that this story – which becomes increasingly incoherent the more closely it is scrutinized – finds little favour among modern philosophers, whether in India or elsewhere, and is on the whole treated as a mere historical curiosity as opposed to a world-view deserving of serious attention.” (p 91-92)
The central aim of "Classical Samkhya and Yoga" is to present an alternative to the standard interpretation of the tattvas and evolutionary process depicted by Samkhya which renders it much more plausible and viable. Through careful philological and hermeneutic analysis Burley argues that instead of presenting a sequential, realist, cosmogonic narrative, Samkhya is offering a non-sequential (synchronic) 'metaphysics of experience'. More precisely, it is presenting an account of HOW THE DIFFERENT FEATURES OF ANY EXPERIENTIAL EPISODE MUST BE RELATED TO EACH OTHER IN ORDER FOR IT TO TAKE PLACE. Thus instead of presenting a naive account of how the world at large develops, Samkhya is offering a sophisticated, thought provoking theory about the essential elements of experience in general. It thus anticipates themes developed by the famous Western Philosopher, Immanuel Kant, with respect to the necessary conditions of possible experience.
Burley argues his case very carefully and avoids facile inferences and associations.
Anyone interested in Samkhya philosophy should find this book quite informative. And it may be of especial benefit to those who regard Indian Philosophy as having enduring value, but are nonetheless disinclined to dismiss or abandon a modern, science-informed view of the world.
Understood in this way, Samkhya is a fascinating historic philosophical theory or system. It may be included among the many pre-modern, pre-scientific theories promulgated in different parts of the world. However, such a perspective may preclude regarding Samkhya as having any relevance or viability for a modern, science-influenced worldview. Matters become complicated, however, when one seeks to somehow reconcile the latter modern outlook with traditional Indian Philosophy.
A great deal of traditional Indian Philosophy can be embraced, or at least seriously entertained, without running into conflict with a modern conception of the world. This especially applies to teachings pertaining to the development of consciousness. But what about the Samkhyan account of cosmogenesis? Taken at face value, it is hard for the modern mind to take it seriously. Burley himself puts it thus:
“It is, I think, unsurprising that this story – which becomes increasingly incoherent the more closely it is scrutinized – finds little favour among modern philosophers, whether in India or elsewhere, and is on the whole treated as a mere historical curiosity as opposed to a world-view deserving of serious attention.” (p 91-92)
The central aim of "Classical Samkhya and Yoga" is to present an alternative to the standard interpretation of the tattvas and evolutionary process depicted by Samkhya which renders it much more plausible and viable. Through careful philological and hermeneutic analysis Burley argues that instead of presenting a sequential, realist, cosmogonic narrative, Samkhya is offering a non-sequential (synchronic) 'metaphysics of experience'. More precisely, it is presenting an account of HOW THE DIFFERENT FEATURES OF ANY EXPERIENTIAL EPISODE MUST BE RELATED TO EACH OTHER IN ORDER FOR IT TO TAKE PLACE. Thus instead of presenting a naive account of how the world at large develops, Samkhya is offering a sophisticated, thought provoking theory about the essential elements of experience in general. It thus anticipates themes developed by the famous Western Philosopher, Immanuel Kant, with respect to the necessary conditions of possible experience.
Burley argues his case very carefully and avoids facile inferences and associations.
Anyone interested in Samkhya philosophy should find this book quite informative. And it may be of especial benefit to those who regard Indian Philosophy as having enduring value, but are nonetheless disinclined to dismiss or abandon a modern, science-informed view of the world.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review