Classical Indian Philosophy and Postmodern Challenges

The Classical Indian Philosophy which has been deeply rooted in the classical texts and primarily projecting on a kind of self liberation thesis is facing challenges in the post modern era. The unity in diversity principle has also been questioned. The monolithic structures are under scrutiny. The concept of Brahman, the core of classical orthodox schools of philosophy is being deconstructed. It is identified here that the problematic of one and many occupies the core place in ancient Indian philosophy. It is a philosophical debate, may be also a social debate, between Ekanta vada and Anekanta vada, a debate between the supremacy of Brahman and the autonomy of multiplicity. In Postmodern terminology, this may be the problem of disciplining the multiplicity, bringing the many under order and hierarchizing the many under the leadership of the Brahman, the one supreme.

The purpose of philosophy it self is redefined. Tradition has being critically reviewed. The transevaluation of traditional values are being carried out by postmodern critics. In place of totalitarian and grand narratives, post modernism suggests multiple, localized, autonomised and non-centralized kinds of theoretical production “whose validity is not dependent on the approval of the established regimes of thought”.

The secularism demands further reinterpretation of classical texts suitable to the needs of the society. Dialogues are creeping in. Hence, democratization of the philosophical sphere is very much wanted and a paradigm shift is expected by the post modern thinkers.

The existence of the individual in Indian society is challenged by the socio economic and political factors. The Socio economic and political arena at the vyavakarika level demands the action modules for better living in this world. The theoretical foundations of the classical philosophy which is strengthened at the academic spheres are yet to enter into the practical sphere of an ‘average’ Indian. In this context, the religion wear the ‘koshas’ of the philosophy and philosophy in India is identified with the corporate gurus. In this situation, the self at the globalized society can never be realized with out activating its critical consciousness. The curriculum requires a revamping and restructuring both in its content and communication methods.