India has a long, rich, and diverse tradition of philosophical thought, spanning some two and a half millennia and encompassing several major religious traditions.

This Very Short Introduction emphasizes the diversity of Indian thought, and is structured around six schools which have achieved classic status. Sue Hamilton explores how the traditions have attempted to understand the nature of reality in terms of an inner or spiritual quest, and introduces distinctively Indian concepts such as karma and rebirth. She also shows how Indian thinkers have understood issues of reality and knowledge — issues which are also an important part of the Western philosophical tradition.

Table of Contents:
Preface
Introduction
1: The Brahmanical beginnings: Vedic sacrifice and the early Upanisads
2: Beyond Brahmanism: the Buddha and other renouncers
3: Issues and justifications: language, grammar, and the emerging of polemics
4: Nyaya and Vaisesika
5: Developments in Buddhist thought: Abhidharma, Madhyamaka, and Yogicara
6: Yoga and Samkhya
7: Grammar again, and the exegetical traditions: Bhartrhari, Mimamsa, and Vedanta
Further reading
Index

Author Information:
Sue Hamilton, Formerly of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, King`s College, London