The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies

Dublin Core

Title

The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies

Subject

Philosophy, Ancient
Philosophy, Indic
Philosophy, Comparative

Description

This unparalleled comparative study of early Eastern and Western philosophy challenges every existing belief about the philosophical foundations of Western civilization. Spanning thirty years of intense intellectual inquiry and research, the author proves what many scholars before him have sensed but couldnʼt empirically explain: that the seemingly autonomous and separate metaphysical schemes of Greek and Indian cultures have mutually influenced each other over a long period of time, to the point that todayʼs Western world must -- be considered the product of both Eastern and Western thought. The authorʼs groundbreaking research systematically unveils striking similarities between the early metaphysical ideas central to Eastern and Western Philosophies. Thomas McEvilley explores the key philosophical paradigms of these cultures, such as Monism, the doctrine of reincarnation in India and Egypt, and early Pluralism in Greece and India, to show how trade, imperialism and migration currents have allowed these ideas to circulate and intermingle freely throughout India, Greece and the Near East. An intellectual achievement of unprecedented scope and depth, this study is based on early historical, philosophical, spiritual, and Buddhist texts from 600 B.C. until the era of Aristotelian thought. This sweeping interdisciplinary study will captivate students and scholars of philosophy, cultural studies, and classics, who will find that their field has been put on an entirely new footing.

Creator

Thomas McEvilley

Publisher

New York : Allworth Press : School of Visual Arts

Text Item Type Metadata

Original Format

Book

Files

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Citation

Thomas McEvilley, “The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies,” Humanities Hub, accessed June 22, 2024, https://humanitieshub.sdsu.edu/omeka/items/show/573.