Ninian Smart

Bio: Ninian Smart is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Indian philosophy & Western philosophy. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 31 citations.

An Introduction to Indian Philosophy

Abstract: This wide-ranging introduction to classical Indian philosophy is philosophically rigorous without being too technical for beginners. Through detailed explorations of the full range of Indian philosophical concerns, including some metaphilosophical issues, it provides readers with non-Western perspectives on central areas of philosophy, including epistemology, logic, metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of religion. Chapters are structured thematically, with each including suggestions for further reading. This provides readers with an informed overview whilst enabling them to focus on particular topics if needed. Translated Sanskrit texts are accompanied by authorial explanations and contextualisations, giving the reader an understanding of the argumentative context and philosophical style of Indian texts. A detailed glossary and a guide to Sanskrit pronunciation equip readers with the tools needed for reading and understanding Sanskrit terms and names. The book will be an essential resource for both beginners and advanced students of philosophy and Asian studies.

Classical Indian philosophy

Abstract: Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 1. Indian Philosophy: A Historical Overview Part 3 I Theory of Knowledge (Pramana Sastra) Chapter 4 2. Theory of Knowledge (Pramana-Theory) Part 5 II. Metaphysics (Prameya Sastra) Chapter 6 3. The Categories (Pdarthas) Chapter 7 4. The Self (Atman) Chapter 8 5. Central Metaphysical Issues Part 9 III Philosophy of Politics, Law and Morals (Dharma sastras) Chapter 10 6. State, Society and Law Chapter 11 7. Moral Philosophy Part 12 IV Religion and Art Chapter 13 8. Philosophy of Religion Chapter 14 9. Aesthetics or Rasasastra Part 15 V Beyond the Pramana-Prameya Distinction Chapter 16 10. Beyond the Pramana-Prameya Distinction Chapter 17 Appendices Chapter 18 Bibliography Chapter 19 Index Chapter 20 About the Author

Death, dying and bereavement in a British Hindu community.

Abstract: This thesis explores beliefs and practices concerning dying, death and bereavement in the Hindu community in Westmouth (a pseudonym), with the aim of furthering understanding of Hindu belief and practice, particularly for medical and social work professionals. The Hindu model of a good death may be difficult to facilitate in British hospitals if medical staff are unaware of Hindu needs and if communication is inadequate. Funerals are arranged by professionals rather than the family, and there are delays because of bureaucracy, post mortems or lack of space in the crematorium. Priests, when available, may not be accustomed to conducting funeral rituals, and have to work within constraints of time and place, with more of the funeral taking place in the home than would be the case in India. All this has caused major changes in the traditional patterns of death rituals and mourning. Despite these changes there is strong family and community support at times of crisis, reinforcing social bonds and religious and cultural traditions. Religious beliefs help to make sense of the experience. This thesis has three parts. Part I sets the context of the study, fieldwork and methodology, introducing the Hindu community in Britain and in Westmouth. Beliefs about death, the afterlife, and the good and bad death are discussed. Part II explores nine stages of Hindu death rituals, from before death to the annual sraddha, comparing scriptural sources with practice in India and Britain to elucidate areas of change and continuity. Part III examines issues of hospital deaths and bureaucracy, mourning, and psychological aspects of bereavement. Hindus cope with and adjust to loss most satisfactorily when they are empowered to follow their chosen practices, have adequate social support, and find religious meaning in their understanding of death. Finally the implications of this research for Hindus themselves and for professional health care workers in Britain are examined.

Indian Indigenous Concepts and Perspectives: Developments and Future Possibilities

Abstract: In the past two decades, there has been a growing emphasis on making the discipline of psychology culturally relevant and appropriate. Nisbett et al. (2001) argue that the considerable social differences that exist among different cultures affect not only their beliefs about specific aspects of the world, but also (a) their naive metaphysical systems at a deep level, (b) their tacit epistemologies, and (c) even the nature of their cognitive processes— the ways by which they know the world. They hold that East Asians are characterized by the holistic thought in contrast to the analytical thought that is characteristic of the West, which underlies knowledge development. Such cross-cultural findings have prompted many researchers to question the validity and usefulness of theories, models, and principles of modern psychology developed in the West for different cultures. Hence, the emerging view is that modern psychology cannot be considered as universal psychology. This has resulted in attempts to indigenize psychology and to develop indigenous psychologies all over the world (Kim & Berry, 1993; Kim & Park, 2005). In the Indian context, Pandey (1988) highlighted a set of inter-related general trends emerging in psychology research in India in the third ICSSR survey: (a) outgrowing the alien framework; (b) roots of psychology in Indian philosophical thought and tradition; (c) psychological assessment in

Buen vivir: reimagining education and shifting paradigms

Abstract: The new development order that emerged from the ashes of the Millennium Development Goals has brought much needed attention to the natural environment and to societal inequalities, two features tha...