New Books in Religion Christopher Key Chapple, "The SāṃKhya System: Accounting for the Real" (SUNY Press, 2024)
Apr 10, 2025
Christopher Key Chapple, Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology at Loyola Marymount University, brings fresh insights into the ancient Sāṃkhya system. He delves into its unique philosophical foundations, exploring its dual nature of idealism and materialism. Chapple discusses the complexities of translating Sanskrit texts and reflects on their cultural significance. The conversation also touches on gender dynamics in Sāṃkhya, emphasizing the elevation of feminine principles and their connection to spirituality. A captivating dive into understanding existence and consciousness!
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Sankhya's Influence
- Christopher Key Chapple's interest in Sankhya started in his teenage years through a yoga community.
- This community focused on individuality, contrasting the prevalent "we are all one" rhetoric of the 70s.
Sankhya's Scope
- Sankhya, one of six classical Indian philosophical schools, aims to explain all existence.
- Its concepts, like the three gunas (tamas, rajas, sattva), offer profound insights into human existence.
Book's Genesis
- The book "The Sankhya System" emerged from a translation group and a conference of philosophers and practitioners.
- It explores Sankhya's practical implications and includes diverse interpretations, from idealism to materialism.
