'The Heathen in his Blindness...'

'The Heathen in his Blindness...'

Author: S.N. Balagangadhara

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2018-08-14

Total Pages: 579

ISBN-13: 9004378863

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Today, most intellectuals agree that (a) Christianity has profoundly influenced western culture; (b) members from different cultures experience many aspects of the world differently; (c) the empirical and theoretical study of both culture and religion emerged within the West. The present study argues that these truisms have implications for the conceptualization of religion and culture. More specifically, the thesis is that non-western cultures and religions differ from the descriptions prevalent in the West, and it is also explained why this has been the case. The author proposes novel analyses of religion, the Roman 'religio', the construction of 'religions' in India, and the nature of cultural differences. Religion is important to the West because the constitution and the identity of western culture is tied to the dynamic of Christianity as a religion.


Book Synopsis 'The Heathen in his Blindness...' by : S.N. Balagangadhara

Download or read book 'The Heathen in his Blindness...' written by S.N. Balagangadhara and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2018-08-14 with total page 579 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today, most intellectuals agree that (a) Christianity has profoundly influenced western culture; (b) members from different cultures experience many aspects of the world differently; (c) the empirical and theoretical study of both culture and religion emerged within the West. The present study argues that these truisms have implications for the conceptualization of religion and culture. More specifically, the thesis is that non-western cultures and religions differ from the descriptions prevalent in the West, and it is also explained why this has been the case. The author proposes novel analyses of religion, the Roman 'religio', the construction of 'religions' in India, and the nature of cultural differences. Religion is important to the West because the constitution and the identity of western culture is tied to the dynamic of Christianity as a religion.


Cultures Differ Differently

Cultures Differ Differently

Author: S. N. Balagangadhara

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2021-11-25

Total Pages: 183

ISBN-13: 1000477738

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This volume brings together a collection of essays by contemporary thinker and social scientist S.N. Balagangadhara which develop an alternative theoretical framework for a comparative study of Western and Asian cultures. These essays illustrate how ‘decolonisation of social sciences’ is a cognitive task and offer novel hypotheses about human beings and society. They demonstrate the implications of cultural difference in the study of domains such as psychology, political theory, ethics, religion, sociology, translation, law, Indology, and philosophy. The book addresses new questions in the study of Western and Indian culture and social sciences, and discusses themes like selfless morality and the moral self; knowledge and action; critical representations of Indian traditions and classical literature; law, religion and culture; translation and interpretations; and varna and social systems. Part of the Critical Humanities Across Cultures series, this interdisciplinary volume will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of philosophy, philosophy of science, ethics, religious studies, postcolonial studies, sociology and social anthropology, cultural studies, literature, comparative studies and Global South studies.


Book Synopsis Cultures Differ Differently by : S. N. Balagangadhara

Download or read book Cultures Differ Differently written by S. N. Balagangadhara and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2021-11-25 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume brings together a collection of essays by contemporary thinker and social scientist S.N. Balagangadhara which develop an alternative theoretical framework for a comparative study of Western and Asian cultures. These essays illustrate how ‘decolonisation of social sciences’ is a cognitive task and offer novel hypotheses about human beings and society. They demonstrate the implications of cultural difference in the study of domains such as psychology, political theory, ethics, religion, sociology, translation, law, Indology, and philosophy. The book addresses new questions in the study of Western and Indian culture and social sciences, and discusses themes like selfless morality and the moral self; knowledge and action; critical representations of Indian traditions and classical literature; law, religion and culture; translation and interpretations; and varna and social systems. Part of the Critical Humanities Across Cultures series, this interdisciplinary volume will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of philosophy, philosophy of science, ethics, religious studies, postcolonial studies, sociology and social anthropology, cultural studies, literature, comparative studies and Global South studies.


Milton's Samson Agonistes

Milton's Samson Agonistes

Author: John Milton

Publisher:

Published: 1890

Total Pages: 282

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Milton's Samson Agonistes by : John Milton

Download or read book Milton's Samson Agonistes written by John Milton and published by . This book was released on 1890 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


From Greenland's Icy Mountains

From Greenland's Icy Mountains

Author: Reginald Heber

Publisher:

Published: 1884

Total Pages: 40

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis From Greenland's Icy Mountains by : Reginald Heber

Download or read book From Greenland's Icy Mountains written by Reginald Heber and published by . This book was released on 1884 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Reconceptualizing India Studies

Reconceptualizing India Studies

Author: Balagangadhara,

Publisher: OUP India

Published: 2012-09-06

Total Pages: 280

ISBN-13: 0198082967

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This book presents a radical analysis of postcolonial studies as a discipline and modern India as a domain of study. It discusses wide variety of issues such as different definitions of culture, colonialism, secularism, and orientalist discourse.


Book Synopsis Reconceptualizing India Studies by : Balagangadhara,

Download or read book Reconceptualizing India Studies written by Balagangadhara, and published by OUP India. This book was released on 2012-09-06 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents a radical analysis of postcolonial studies as a discipline and modern India as a domain of study. It discusses wide variety of issues such as different definitions of culture, colonialism, secularism, and orientalist discourse.


The British Discovery of Buddhism

The British Discovery of Buddhism

Author: Philip C. Almond

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 9780521033855

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This is the first book to examine the British discovery of Buddhism during the Victorian period. It was only during the nineteenth century that Buddhism became, in the western mind, a religious tradition separate from Hinduism. As a result, Buddha emerge from a realm of myth and was addressed as a historical figure. Almond's exploration of British interpretations of Buddhism--of its founder, its doctrines, its ethics, its social practices, its truth and value--illuminates more than the various aspects of Buddhist culture: it sheds light on the Victorian society making these judgements.


Book Synopsis The British Discovery of Buddhism by : Philip C. Almond

Download or read book The British Discovery of Buddhism written by Philip C. Almond and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1988 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first book to examine the British discovery of Buddhism during the Victorian period. It was only during the nineteenth century that Buddhism became, in the western mind, a religious tradition separate from Hinduism. As a result, Buddha emerge from a realm of myth and was addressed as a historical figure. Almond's exploration of British interpretations of Buddhism--of its founder, its doctrines, its ethics, its social practices, its truth and value--illuminates more than the various aspects of Buddhist culture: it sheds light on the Victorian society making these judgements.


What does it mean to be ‘Indian’?

What does it mean to be ‘Indian’?

Author: S.N. Balagangadhara, Sarika Rao

Publisher: Notion Press

Published: 2021-09-04

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 1685097723

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Why ask this question today? After all, a lot is written about India, her culture, her past, her society, the psychology and sociology of individuals and groups. Why is that not enough? It is because what we have learnt so far is either false or fragmentary. If Indian culture is not a slightly inferior, slightly idiosyncratic variant of Western culture, as the received view has it for a very long time, what else is it? Research into culture and cultural differences gives novel and surprising answers. Written for an intelligent but lay public, this book shares the results of 40 years of scientific investigations in the research programme Comparative Science of Cultures. It transcends the political distinction between ‘the right’ and ‘the left’ by looking deeper into ideas on human beings, society, culture, experience, the past, impact of colonialism etc. Today, the question ‘What does it mean to be ‘Indian’?’ is both important and difficult to answer. Is there something ‘Indian’ about this culture that goes beyond the differences between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or Jains? What does it überhaupt mean to belong to Indian culture?


Book Synopsis What does it mean to be ‘Indian’? by : S.N. Balagangadhara, Sarika Rao

Download or read book What does it mean to be ‘Indian’? written by S.N. Balagangadhara, Sarika Rao and published by Notion Press. This book was released on 2021-09-04 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why ask this question today? After all, a lot is written about India, her culture, her past, her society, the psychology and sociology of individuals and groups. Why is that not enough? It is because what we have learnt so far is either false or fragmentary. If Indian culture is not a slightly inferior, slightly idiosyncratic variant of Western culture, as the received view has it for a very long time, what else is it? Research into culture and cultural differences gives novel and surprising answers. Written for an intelligent but lay public, this book shares the results of 40 years of scientific investigations in the research programme Comparative Science of Cultures. It transcends the political distinction between ‘the right’ and ‘the left’ by looking deeper into ideas on human beings, society, culture, experience, the past, impact of colonialism etc. Today, the question ‘What does it mean to be ‘Indian’?’ is both important and difficult to answer. Is there something ‘Indian’ about this culture that goes beyond the differences between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or Jains? What does it überhaupt mean to belong to Indian culture?


Do All Roads Lead to Jerusalem?

Do All Roads Lead to Jerusalem?

Author: S. N. Balagangadhara

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2015-02-27

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 9781508578376

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Do All Roads Lead to Jerusalem? traces the history of western encounters with other cultures on two occasions: the 'pagans' of Greece and Rome and the 'heathens' in India. The West has produced many descriptions of other cultures. A close examination of these descriptions reveals that these descriptions tell us more about western culture than about the cultures the West has attempted to describe. This over-arching theme is developed by examining one element in western culture, viz., religion. This book argues that religion is not a cultural universal and the belief that all cultures have religion is an assumption on the part of all scholars of religion. The reason for this is that western culture has been shaped by religion so that members of this culture are conceptually compelled to describe other cultures from within the framework of religion. From Biblical scholarship to the Enlightenment, from the Reformation to the Romantics, from believers to atheists, the cognitive scheme is the same - one that has been set in place by the experiential framework of Christianity. It is through this framework that all other cultures have been studied so far. Is it any wonder that members of such a culture saw religion wherever they went? By means of methodical arguments and lucid explanations this book demonstrates that religion is not a cultural universal and explains why it is believed to be so. Scholars in the field of religious and cultural studies will find this work illuminating, original, and deeply compelling.


Book Synopsis Do All Roads Lead to Jerusalem? by : S. N. Balagangadhara

Download or read book Do All Roads Lead to Jerusalem? written by S. N. Balagangadhara and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2015-02-27 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do All Roads Lead to Jerusalem? traces the history of western encounters with other cultures on two occasions: the 'pagans' of Greece and Rome and the 'heathens' in India. The West has produced many descriptions of other cultures. A close examination of these descriptions reveals that these descriptions tell us more about western culture than about the cultures the West has attempted to describe. This over-arching theme is developed by examining one element in western culture, viz., religion. This book argues that religion is not a cultural universal and the belief that all cultures have religion is an assumption on the part of all scholars of religion. The reason for this is that western culture has been shaped by religion so that members of this culture are conceptually compelled to describe other cultures from within the framework of religion. From Biblical scholarship to the Enlightenment, from the Reformation to the Romantics, from believers to atheists, the cognitive scheme is the same - one that has been set in place by the experiential framework of Christianity. It is through this framework that all other cultures have been studied so far. Is it any wonder that members of such a culture saw religion wherever they went? By means of methodical arguments and lucid explanations this book demonstrates that religion is not a cultural universal and explains why it is believed to be so. Scholars in the field of religious and cultural studies will find this work illuminating, original, and deeply compelling.


Disabilities and the Disabled in the Roman World

Disabilities and the Disabled in the Roman World

Author: Christian Laes

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2018-04-12

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 1316730093

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Almost fifteen per cent of the world's population today experiences some form of mental or physical disability and society tries to accommodate their needs. But what was the situation in the Roman world? Was there a concept of disability? How were the disabled treated? How did they manage in their daily lives? What answers did medical doctors, philosophers and patristic writers give for their problems? This book, the first monograph on the subject in English, explores the medical and material contexts for disability in the ancient world, and discusses the chances of survival for those who were born with a handicap. It covers the various sorts of disability: mental problems, blindness, deafness and deaf-muteness, speech impairment and mobility impairment, and includes discussions of famous instances of disability from the ancient world, such as the madness of Emperor Caligula, the stuttering of Emperor Claudius and the blindness of Homer.


Book Synopsis Disabilities and the Disabled in the Roman World by : Christian Laes

Download or read book Disabilities and the Disabled in the Roman World written by Christian Laes and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2018-04-12 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Almost fifteen per cent of the world's population today experiences some form of mental or physical disability and society tries to accommodate their needs. But what was the situation in the Roman world? Was there a concept of disability? How were the disabled treated? How did they manage in their daily lives? What answers did medical doctors, philosophers and patristic writers give for their problems? This book, the first monograph on the subject in English, explores the medical and material contexts for disability in the ancient world, and discusses the chances of survival for those who were born with a handicap. It covers the various sorts of disability: mental problems, blindness, deafness and deaf-muteness, speech impairment and mobility impairment, and includes discussions of famous instances of disability from the ancient world, such as the madness of Emperor Caligula, the stuttering of Emperor Claudius and the blindness of Homer.


Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost

Author: John Milton

Publisher:

Published: 1889

Total Pages: 106

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Paradise Lost by : John Milton

Download or read book Paradise Lost written by John Milton and published by . This book was released on 1889 with total page 106 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: