Philosophy in Classical India

Bringing the analytical approach of modern philosophy to bear upon the literature of ancient and classical India, this work explains and explores the central methods, concepts and devices of the Indian philosophical tradition. It focuses on the rational principles of Indian philosophical theory, rather than the mysticism more usually associated with it. Ganeri asks what are the philosophical projects of a number of major Indian philosophers and what are the methods of rational inquiry deployed in pursuit of those projects. In so doing, he illuminates a network of mutual reference and criticism, influence and response, in which reason is simultaneously used constructively and to call itself into question. This fresh perspective on classical Indian thought unravels new philosophical paradigms and points towards new applications for the concept of reason.

'... a brilliant contribution to the study of some of the basic questions of classical Indian Philosophy, and at the same time quite a convincing presentation of new philosophical paradigms ... What is striking in Ganeri's work is the commendable combination of sound grasp of the Sanskrit texts with outstanding interpretive skills. There is no doubt that the book will be acknowledged as a pathfinder in the interpretation of classical Indian Philosophy.' - John Vattanky, De Nobili College, India, Nagoya Studies in Indian Culture and Buddhism'Excellent, just what we need right at this moment.' - Arindam Chakrabarti, University of Hawaii at Manoa'Philosophy in Classical India is a remarkable achievement from one of the premier philosophers currently working in the field. Ganeri's scholarship, insight and creative interpretations of classical Indian theories satisfy the high expectations raised by his first book ... This latest volume is a significant contribution to the tradition of scholarship established by Ganeri's late mentor, Bimal Krishna Matilal.' - The Heythrop Journal, '... a brilliant contribution to the study of some of the basic questions of classical Indian Philosophy, and at the same time quite a convincing presentation of new philosophical paradigms ... What is striking in Ganeri's work is the commendable combination of sound grasp of the Sanskrit texts with outstanding interpretive skills. There is no doubt that the book will be acknowledged as a pathfinder in the interpretation of classical Indian Philosophy.' - John Vattanky, De Nobili College, India, Nagoya Studies in Indian Culture and Buddhism'Excellent, just what we need right at this moment.' - Arindam Chakrabarti, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Jonardon Ganeri read mathematics at Cambridge before pursuing graduate studies in philosophy at London and Oxford. He is the author of Semantic Powers: Meaning and the Means of Knowing in Classical Indian Philosophy 0Clarendon Press, 1999). He is currently Spalding Fellow in Comparative Religions, Clare Hall, Cambridge