Nature in Indian philosophy and cultural traditions

Abstract

Working within a framework of environmental philosophy and environmental ethics, this book describes and postulates alternative understandings of nature in Indian traditions of thought, particularly philosophy. The interest in alternative conceptualizations of nature has gained significance after many thinkers pointed out that attitudes to the environment are determined to a large extent by our presuppositions of nature. This book is particularly timely from that perspective. It begins with a brief description of the concept of nature and a history of the idea of nature in Western thought. This provides readers with a context to the issues around the concept of nature in environmental philosophy, setting a foundation for further discussion about alternate conceptualizations of nature and their significance. In particular, the work covers a wide array of textual and non-textual sources to link and understand nature from classical Indian philosophical perspectives as well as popular understandings in Indian literary texts and cultural practices. Popular issues in environmental philosophy are discussed in detail, such as: What is nature in Indian philosophy? How do people perceive nature through landscape and mythological and cultural narratives? In what ways is nature sacred in India? To make the discussion relevant to contemporary readers, the book includes a section on the ecological and ethical implications of some philosophical concepts and critical perspectives on alternate conceptualizations of nature. Chapter 1. World-views and Issues around Nature -- Chapter 2. Conceptualisations of Nature: The Narratives So Far -- Chapter 3. Conceptualisations of Nature in Indian Traditions of Thought -- Chapter 4. Nature as Elemental: The Matter of Nature -- Chapter 5. Nature in Some Philosophical Traditions of India: Basis for a Common Ground -- Chapter 6. Topo-centric Views of Nature -- Chapter 7. Sacred Geographies and an Ethics of Relating with Reverence -- Chapter 8. Nature in Vedic Thought: Gods, the Earth and Rta -- Chapter 9. Nature in Literature: Natures Presence and Absence -- Chapter 10. Relating to Nature: Worship, Care and Ecological Ethics -- Chapter 11. Creating New Paradigms of Understanding: Action and Ecology.