Perspectives on Indian & Western Philosophical Thoughts

This volume contains articles on various topics. There are themes on both Indian and Western traditions. There are a number of books and articles on Vaiṣṇavism. But almost all of them focus on the post-Ramanuja development of Vaiṣṇavism, Rāmānuja and Pāñcarátra School and Agamic Traditions of Saiva Siddhanta and Vaisnavism: Saiva, Pañcaratra and Vaikhanasa focus on the need for the study of Vaiṣṇavism prior to the period of Ramanuja. Most of the scholars on Vaiṣṇavism show less interest in the evolution from Nigama form of worship to the Agama form of worship of Vişnu (Satuatavidhi-idol worship). The article on the "Doctrine of Many Perspectives: Jainism and Science" reveal that Einstein's theory of relativity is not new to Jainism. The gist of the relativity theory can be found in the Syadvāda of Jainism. The Jainas also used the concept of dharma in a metaphysical sense. There are articles in this volume relating Science with Vedanta, Religion and Ethics. A brief sketch on philosophy of science, space and time and logical positivism will be useful to the students of philosophy. Themes on Value Education, Alienation, Consumerism, Environment and Globalisation are related to social philosophy.

I was reminded of these lines when I began to read Dr. A. Appan Ramanujam's learned and thought provoking articles, the fruits of his intellectual labor. Relentlessly working, over these years, on areas of culture, tradition, spirituality, science and technology, Dr. Ramanujam has presented not only the philosophy of the east and the west, but also suggested the possibility of interaction between mind and matter.

I am sure his articles will increase our knowledge and understanding of the topic or the subject he is dealing with. Equally they will confirm our ideas and opinions. It is not an exaggeration if I say that the admirable philosopher, Dr. Appan Ramanujam, has lent authority to our view point. He has expanded and intensified our search for knowledge beyond boundaries.

**Contents and Sample Pages**