Categories, Creation and Cognition in Vaise¿ika Philosophy

The proposed book presents an overview of select theories in the classical Vaise¿ika system of Indian philosophy, such as the concept of categories, creation and existence, atomic theory, consciousness and cognition. It also expounds in detail the concept of dharma, the idea of the highest good and expert testimony as a valid means of knowing in Vaise¿ika thought. Some of the major themes discussed are the religious inclination of Vaise¿ika thought towards Pasupata Saivism, the affiliation of the Vaise¿ika System to the basic foundations of Indian philosophical thought, namely Veda and Yoga, and their insights into science, hermeneutics and metaphysics. In addition, this book includes recent Sanskrit commentaries on key Vaise¿ika texts and provides a glimpse of Vaise¿ika studies across the world. Overall, this book enunciates the Vaise¿ika view from original sources and is an important work for Vaise¿ika studies in current times for serious students as well as researchers.