History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China HPI 11 - Carry a Big Stick - Ancient Indian Political Thought
Feb 7, 2016
Ancient Indian political thinkers Kautilya and king Ashoka discuss contrasting ideas of ideal political rule. Topics explored include the Ata Shastra treatise on political thought, the disputed authorship and ideas of the Ata Shastra, the pragmatic and cynical approach of Kautilya, the evolution of political rulers in ancient India, and Ashoka's moral authority and use of special ministers.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5
Introduction
00:00 • 5min
Exploring the Treatise Ata Shastra and its Political Ideas
05:07 • 5min
Pragmatism and Cynicism: Kautilya's Approach in Ancient Indian Political Thought
10:21 • 3min
The Evolution of Political Rulers in Ancient India
13:13 • 5min
The Moral Authority of Ashoka and the Implications for Political Authority
18:33 • 3min