Notes and Study material for Exams
The Literary Landscape of Jainism: A Journey Through Sacred Texts Jainism, an ancient Indian religion, boasts a rich and diverse literary tradition spanning centuries. Its scriptures, known as Agamas (meaning “knowledge” or “tradition”), serve as the foundation of Jain philosophy, ethics, and practice. These texts, written in Prakrit languages, offer a profound exploration of spiritual … Read more
What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a religion that originated in India over 2,500 years ago. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as the Buddha. The Buddha taught that suffering is caused by desire and that the way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold … Read more
Swami Vivekananda: The Lion of Bengal and His Enduring Legacy Introduction: Swami Vivekananda, born Narendra Nath Datta, was a towering figure in the history of modern India. He was a renowned spiritual leader, philosopher, and social reformer who played a pivotal role in introducing Hinduism to the West and inspiring a wave of nationalistic fervor … Read more
The Parallel Paths: Exploring the Similarities and Differences between Buddhism and Jainism Buddhism and Jainism, two ancient Indian religions, share a common origin in the Vedic tradition and a profound emphasis on non-violence and spiritual liberation. While they share many core tenets, they also diverge in their philosophical approaches and practices, creating distinct paths towards … Read more
Essence of Ethics Ethics comes from Greek word “ethos” means character, habit, culture, ways of behaviour etc. Ethics is also called “moral philosophy”. The word “moral” comes from Latin word “mores” which signifies customs, character, behaviour, etc. Thus ethics may be defined as the systematic study of human actions from the point of view of … Read more
Verificationism was a central thesis of logical positivism, a movement in analytic philosophy that emerged in the 1920s by the efforts of a group of philosophers who sought to unify philosophy and science under a common naturalistic theory of knowledge. Verifiability principle, a philosophical doctrine fundamental to the school of Logical Positivism holding that a statement is meaningful only if it … Read more
Hinduism: A Dominant Religious Influence Shaping the World Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest and most complex religions, boasts a rich history and a profound impact on the cultural landscape of India and beyond. With its diverse traditions, philosophical schools, and spiritual practices, Hinduism has shaped the lives of billions of people for millennia. This … Read more
Jainism Originated in India thousands of years ago and is thought to have heavily influenced the two other main belief systems of the region at that time: Buddhism. The religion centres on the progress of one’s soul towards a divine consciousness through self-reformation, wisdom and self-control and pacifism towards all living creatures. There … Read more
Irish philosopher George Berkeley believed that Locke’s Essay did not carry the principles of empiricism far enough. Philosophers like Descartes and Locke tried to forestall problems of perceptual illusion by distinguishing between material objects and the ideas by means of which we perceive them. (perceiver—–ideas—–material objects) But the representationalist approach can provide no reliable account of the connection between ideas and the objects they are supposed to represent. The results of … Read more
The Elusive “Gaseous Hypothesis”: Unraveling Kant’s Cosmological Vision Immanuel Kant, the towering figure of 18th-century philosophy, is renowned for his revolutionary contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Yet, his foray into cosmology, particularly his “gaseous hypothesis,” remains a subject of ongoing debate and interpretation. This article delves into the intricacies of Kant’s cosmological vision, examining … Read more