Indian Philosophy

Author(s): Sukhlal Sanghavi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 22

Philosophy-Origin and Subject-matter
After having specially considered all the earlier researches pertaining to the subject Dr. Radhakrishnan 16 has examined the question in details. His own finally established view is that so many spiritual propositions pertaining to an ethically uplifted life that we come across in Greek philosophical speculation are definitely influenced by the Indian philosophical speculation and an ethically perfect life as fed in India,
It has to be kept in mind that this question pertaining to mutual influence is raised in respect of the pre-Alexander period. On the other hand, in view of the fact that after Alexander's invasion relations between the Indian and Greek peoples grew ever stronger there is no difficulty whatso. ever in maintaining that on so many questions the Greeks have adopted ladian views while on so many others the Indians have adopted Greek views.
In connection with philosophical speculation the scholars have also raised the issue that the Western Philosophical speculation has began as free from religious coasiderations while the Indian philosophical speculation has always remained related with religious considerations. According to many Western scholars, the cause thereof is that in Europe religion came from Asia while its philosophical speculation is to be traced to the Greek tradition, But in India philosophy being an integral part of darśana such a separation was not needed here. Certainly, it seems that Indian sages have been suitably placing emphasis on faith and intellect which are tw) mutua. lly inseparable aspects of life.
In India whatever philosophical speculation has managed to survive has done so owing to the support received from the side of a religious sect. If corresponding to a philosophical speculation a religious sect did not came into existence or did not survive it became extinct; such for example was the case with Cārvākas, Ājivakas etc. On the other hand, if a philosophical speculation has sought support in some religious sect or other it has evolved and spread depending on the relative strength of this religious sect: such for example was the case with Buddhism, Jainism, Nyaya-Vaiseșika, Pūrvamimāņsā, Uttra-mjmāmsā etc.
The Order of Evolution in Philosophical Speculation :
Philosophical speculation is supposed to have three chief topics, viz. world, soul, God. Numerous questions have arisen in connection with these three topics and each questions has been considered even in minutest details. On persuing the hitherto composed Indian philosophical literature - that is, on analysing in its entirely the philosophical speculation that has
16 Eastern Religion and Western Thought, ch. IV.