Second Philosophy Class

Introduction

• Thank audience for attending second philosophy class
• Philosophy viewed as a subject that often scares people
• Corrected previous lecture mistake: Universe is 13.8 billion years old, Earth is 4.5 billion years old

Starting with Indian Philosophy

Reasons

1. Natural Attachment: We are from India, so understanding our own philosophy is important
2. Historical Context: Philosophy originated in India and is verified by the reference
   • Mahavira, Gautam Buddha
   • Vedas and Upanishads written thousands of years before Western philosophy began
3. Personal Influence: Family members interested in philosophy, encouraged by needing comprehensive books on Indian philosophy

Philosophy Perspectives

Indian vs Western Philosophy

• India vs West: Misconception that non-Indian philosophies are Western
• Introduction to non-European philosophies like Japanese, Chinese to be discussed later
• Focus initially on Indian philosophy

Historical Perspective

• Vedas and Upanishads aged around 5-6000 BC or earlier
• Vedas were not authored by one person, considered Akritak (natural)
• Ved Vyas: compiled Vedas, authored Mahabharata and Brahmasutra
• Four sections of Vedas: Samhita, Brahmin, Aranyaka, and Upanishads
  • Upanishads: