History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China
Peter Adamson teams up with Jonardon Ganeri, Chike Jeffers, and Karyn Lai to represent the philosophical traditions of ancient India, Africa and the African diaspora, and classical China. Website: www.historyofphilosophy.net.
Latest episodes
May 14, 2016 • 24min
HPI 18 - A Tangled Web - the Age of the Sutra
Rival philosophical schools proliferate and subdivide in our second major historical period, the “age of the sūtra.”
May 1, 2016 • 35min
HPI 17 - Jessica Frazier on Hinduism and Philosophy
An interview with Jessica Frazier about philosophical ideas and arguments in the Vedas, Upanisads and later Hindu texts.
Apr 17, 2016 • 21min
HPI 16 - Better Half - Women in Ancient India
Women philosophers and ideas about women in Buddhism, the Upanisads, and the Mahabharata.
Apr 3, 2016 • 24min
HPI 15 - Mostly Harmless - Non-Violence
Vegetarianism and non-violence (ahimsa) in ancient Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
Mar 20, 2016 • 20min
HPI 14 - World on a String - The Bhagavad-Gita
The Bhagavad-Gītā or “Song of the Lord” from the Mahābhārata ties its theory of detached action to an innovative conception of the divine.
Mar 6, 2016 • 21min
HPI 13 - Grand Illusion - Dharma and Deception in the Mahabharata
Exploring deception and moral dilemmas in the Mahabharata, including the narrative structure and illusion within the epic. Discussing the significance of dharma amidst deception and war. Examining the evolution of dharma in Indian philosophy and moral dilemmas faced by Yudhisthira. Highlighting the theme of deceit and ethical contradictions in the Mahabharata.
4 snips
Feb 21, 2016 • 33min
HPI 12 - Rupert Gethin on Buddhism and the Self
Peter speaks to Rupert Gethin about the no-self theory, and its implications for Buddhist ethics and meditation practices.
Feb 7, 2016 • 22min
HPI 11 - Carry a Big Stick - Ancient Indian Political Thought
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.
Jan 24, 2016 • 21min
HPI 10 - Crossover Appeal - The Nature of the Buddha’s Teaching
The Buddha offers two parables to explain the purpose of his philosophical teaching.
Jan 10, 2016 • 22min
HPI 09 - Suffering and Smiling - the Buddha
The Four Noble Truths of the Buddha, and the function they are supposed to play in our lives.
