Consciousness has been a central theme of Indian philosophy for more than 2500 years. Returning to the theories that originated in the Classical age, Matthew MacKenzie presents the first comprehensive overview of Indian views about the nature and structure of consciousness. MacKenzie looks to the Upanisads and the early Buddhist discourses for the roots of the theories, following consciousness as it developed in the Abhidharma, Yogacara, and Pramaavada schools of Buddhism and the Nyaya, Yoga, Advaita, and Nondual Saiva schools of Hinduism. In the Upanisads , he introduces us to sages and kings who discussed the elusive light ( prakasa ) of consciousness and its relation to one''s deepest self ( atman ). In early Buddhist texts the complex flow of conscious mental events are explored within an impermanent, selfless reality. In yogic texts we find a sharp distinction between ever-shifting objects and the pure light of consciousness. Addressing timeless questions surrounding the fundamental nature of reality, MacKenzie focuses throughout on whether and how consciousness illuminates objects as well as itself. A critical and comparative introduction to a major philosophical subject, this book marks a new direction for understanding the cross-cultural philosophy of consciousness.

Autorentext
Matthew MacKenzie is Professor of Philosophy at Colorado State University, USA.

Inhalt

Introduction: Cosmopolitan Philosophy of Consciousness

Chapter 1: Consciousness as Luminosity
Origins
Other-Luminosity
Self-Luminosity
The Self
Comparative Connections

Chapter 2: Nyaya
The Nyaya School
Other Luminosity
Self and World
Comparative Connections

Chapter 3: Abhidharma
Abhidharma Schools
Mind and Mental Factors
Perception and Cognition
Selflessness
Comparative Connections

Chapter 4: Yoga
The Yoga School
Stilling the Modifications
Self and World
Self-Luminosity
Comparative Connections

Chapter 5: Yogacara
The Yogacara School
Eight Dimensions of Consciousness
Three Natures of Phenomena
Idealism
Comparative Connections

Chapter 6: Advaita
Advaita Vedanta
The Witness
Mind, Body, World
Individuation
Comparative Connections

Chapter 7: Buddhist Pramaavada
Pramaavada
Dual-Aspects
Reflexive Awareness
Selflessness
Comparative Connections

Chapter 8: Nondual Saiva
Kashmir Saiva
Consciousness and Power
Light and reflection
Dynamic Nonduality
Comparative Connections

Conclusion: New directions
Bibliography
Index