Conceptualizations of Nature in Classical Indian Philosophy Ecological Issues

DOI

10.2991/cesses-18.2018.174How to use a DOI?

Keywords

conceptualization of nature; pantheism, panentheism; Theism; Indian Theism (ishvara-vada); classical Indian philosophy; environmental philosophy

Abstract

The following article deals with the varieties of interpretations and conceptualizations of nature in classical (ancient and medieval) Indian Philosophy. We find in these conceptualizations the fruitful ideas for environmental philosophy. Cosmos and the nature are nearer to impersonal principle than to personality. Many scholars assert that conceptualizations of nature in Indian religious and philosophical outlook are included in pantheistic (or panentheistic) framework. In addition, theism (non-monotheistic theory about Personal God/gods as attribute(s) or subordinate(s) of impersonal principle – Brahman, Nirvana etc.) is not alien to Indian thought and brings serious ecological issues. Pantheistic doctrines in Indian philosophy explicate the idea of unity of the whole universe, people and nature. Indian theistic tradition (ishvara–vada) teaches us, human beings, to expand our responsibility, trusteeship and care of the nature.

Copyright

© 2018, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.

Open Access

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Elena Anikeeva
PY  - 2018/11
DA  - 2018/11
TI  - Conceptualizations of Nature in Classical Indian Philosophy Ecological Issues
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Contemporary Education, Social Sciences and Ecological Studies (CESSES 2018)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 788
EP  - 791
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/cesses-18.2018.174
DO  - 10.2991/cesses-18.2018.174
ID  - Anikeeva2018/11
ER  -