|
Book Review
Philosophical musings
MUSINGS IN IDEOLOGY — An Anthology of Analytical Essays by Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya: G. Ramakrishna and Sanjay K. Biswas - Editors; Navakarnataka Publications Pvt. Ltd., Embassy Centre, 11, Crescent Road, Post Box No: 5159, Bangalore-560001. Rs. 90.
THE BOOK under review comprises seven important lectures and addresses delivered by Prof. Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya on various occasions, the topics ranging from science, mathematics and philosophy, to society.
An outstanding philosopher of this country, he is known in academic circles for his important works like, Lokayata, Indian Atheism, Science and Society in Ancient India, What is Living and What is Dead in Indian Philosophy, Religion and Society, etc.
A teacher of philosophy by profession and a Marxist by conviction, his contribution to the socio-cultural field is well known.
In the first essay, "Positive science in the Indian cultural heritage" he raises an important question viz. how far the Indian cultural tradition helps us to understand the ancient positive science.
The second essay is an introduction written by him for G. Thibaut's On the Sulvasutras and Baudhayana Sulvasutra. The Sulva texts contain a body of mathematical knowledge, which are ancient.
The architectural evidences of Mohenjadaro-Harappa throw fresh light on this mathematics.
Another essay evaluates the role of astronomy and mathematics in ancient and medieval India where the author discusses the issue namely, why there had been in astronomy, resentment to the honest search for truth.
The reason is that the knowledge they aspired for, did not agree with the religious beliefs, which existed during their time.
The religious beliefs interfered with the astronomical ideas and hence the author asks the historian of science to study the forces that prevented genuine enquiry of our astronomers.
The fourth essay deals with India's rationalist heritage. Here he compares Indian rationalist heritage with that of the Greek. The following article deals with the miracle makers. The sixth essay studies the ideological struggle in India today.
According to the author, the context of our own ideological struggle is different from that of the West.
In the concluding essay, "Science, philosophy, and society in ancient India", he argues that the beginning of natural science in India started with Ayurveda.
The editors of this volume, who were closely associated with the author for more than two decades, deserve appreciation for making his valuable ideas available.
S. PANNEERSELVAM
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Book Review
|
