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Indian Philosophy

Sue Hamilton

Journey through Indian philosophy to explore the mind, suffering, liberation, and timeless insights into the self and reality.

20 min5 Chapters
Indian Philosophy

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Outline

What's it about?

Indian Philosophy (2001) is a short introduction to the major schools of thought that developed in ancient and classical India. Sue Hamilton explains how thinkers in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions approached questions about knowledge, the self, reality, and the path to liberation from suffering. The book presents these ideas clearly for readers new to the subject and shows how they differ from Western philosophy.

Key ideas

  • The book is a short introduction to the major schools of thought that developed in ancient and classical India.
  • Thinkers in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions each approached questions about knowledge, the self, and the nature of reality.
  • A central concern across these traditions is the path to liberation from suffering.
  • Indian philosophy differs from Western philosophy, and the book shows where and how those differences appear.
  • Sue Hamilton explains these ideas clearly, so readers with no background in the subject can follow them.

About the author

Sue Hamilton is a British scholar of Indian philosophy and religion who has taught at British universities. Her research focuses on early Buddhist thought, and her other books include Identity and Experience and Early Buddhism: A New Approach.

Questions people ask

What is Indian Philosophy by Sue Hamilton about?

It is a short introduction to the major schools of thought in ancient and classical India. It covers how Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain thinkers approached knowledge, the self, reality, and liberation from suffering.

Who is Indian Philosophy for?

It is written for readers who are new to the subject and want a clear starting point. No prior knowledge of Indian thought is needed.

How long does the Indian Philosophy summary take on Durar?

The Durar summary takes about 15 minutes to read or listen to. It covers the main schools of thought and how they differ from Western philosophy.

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