Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Indian Philosophy Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026
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Syllabus for Indian Philosophy
Practise with the Semester 3 past papers. Papers in the subject folders were set on this syllabus. The year folders hold older papers, so check each topic against this one.
Module 1: Introduction to Indian Philosophy
- 1 Vedic Cosmology, Upanishadic philosophy (Brahman, atman and world)
- 2 classifications of schools of Indian Philosophy
- 3 Common characteristics of Indian Philosophical Schools
Module 2: Carvaka Philosophy
- 1 Metaphysics: Four elements, self, liberation, and God
- 2 Epistemology: Perception as the only valid source of knowledge, Rejection of inference and testimony
- 3 Ethics: Hedonism
Module 3
- Jaina philosophy
- 1 Metaphysics: classification of reality, Anekantavada
- 2 Epistemology: Syadvada
- 3 Ethics: Triratnas; Anuvrata and Mahavrata
Module 4: Buddhist philosophy
- 1 Four noble truths and Pratityasamutpada
- 2 Theory of No-Self: Anatmavada and Kshanikavada (Momentariness)
- 3 Ethics: Panchashila, Brahmaviharas
Reading List
- 1 Bishop, Donald (ed.) Indian Thought: An Introduction (New Delhi: Wiley Eastern Private Ltd., 1975)
- 2 Chattopadhyay D.P., Lokayata: A Study in Ancient Indian Materialism (people’s
- 3 Publishing House; Third edition (2006)
- 4 Datta & Chaterjee, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy, University of Calcutta (1984)
- 5 Deussen, Paul. Outlines of Indian Philosophy (New Delhi: Crest Publishing House, 1996)
- 6 Gethin, Rupert .The Foundations of Buddhism (Oxford University Press, 1998)
- 7 Glasenapp, Helmuth Von. Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation (Delhi: Motilal Banarasidas Publishers, 1998)
- 8 Gokhale, Pradeep P Lokayata/Carvaka OUP, New Delhi, 2015
- 9 Nagin shah. Jaina philosophy and religion, Motilal Banarsidass, (2001)
- 10 Hiriyanna, M. Outlines of Indian Philosophy (Delhi: Motilal Banarasidas, 1993)
- 11 Humphreys, Christmas. The Buddhist Way of Life (New Delhi: Indus Publishers, 1993)
- 12 Raju, T. The Philosophical Traditions of India (London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1971)
- 13 Sangharakshita .The Essential Teachings of the Buddha (New Delhi: New Age Books, 2000)
- 14 Shah Nathubhai. Jainism: The World of Conquerors (Delhi: Motilal Banarasidas Publishers, 1999)
- 15 Srinivasachari, P.N. Ethical Philosophy of the Gita (Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Matt, 2001)