University : Gujarat University
Degree : M.A.
Department : Philosophy
Document Type : Syllabus

Website : http://www.gujaratuniversity.ac.in/web/
Download Syllabus : http://www.indianjobtalks.com/upload...Philosophy.pdf

M.A. Philosophy Syllabus :
Semester-I (PHI401) Indian logic and Epistemology-I
Objectives :
This course aims at introducing the distinctive features of Indian epistemology. The organization of course is text base and concept oriented. It provides the necessary ground for the study and interpretation of classical Indian text.

Unit-I :
Definition of Knowledge
** Classification of Knowledge
** Means of Valid Knowledge

Unit-II :
Perceptions
** Nyaya view on perception
** Buddhist view on perception
** Vedantic view on perception

Unit-III :
Nyaya definition of Inference
** Definition of Vyapti
** Classification of Inference
** Fallacies of Inference
** Buddhist view on Inference
** Vedanta view of Inference

Unit-IV :
Testimony or Sabda
** Definition of sabda and its kinds
** Word and meaning, the import of words
** The construction of sentence

(PHI402) Indian Ethics :
Objectives :
There are peculiar characteristics of Indian ethics, which are lacking in the west. The objective of this paper is to introduce these characteristics with a text and issue based oriented study, contain fundamental ethical concepts. The course covers the cosmo- centric, universal and duty – oriented nature of Indian ethics.

Unit-I :
Some important concepts of Indian ethics
** Dharma
** Bhavana
** Vidhi Nisedha and Arthavada
** Shabda Nityatavad
** Jatishaktivad

Unit-II :
** Apurva
** Sadharanadharma
** Concepts such as : Rta, Satya, Rna, Yajna
** Swadharma, Loksangraha, Sthitprajna, Nishkamkarma

Unit-III :
Jaina Ethics
** Triratna
** Dasavidhadharma
** 12 Anuprekshas
** Five great Vows (Pancha Mahavrata)

Univ-IV :
Buddhist Ethics
** Aryasatya
** Ashtangikamarga
** Six Paramitas
** Panchshil
** Brahmavihar

(PHI 405EB) Philosophy of Ramanuja :
Objectives:
** Ramanuja is one of the great philosopher in Vaishnavism. This philosophy is known as Vishishtadvaita. This course will give complete picture of Ramanuja’s philosophy.
** The course is aimed at introducing, with sufficient depth ,the fundamental metaphysical concepts of Ramanuja .
** Introduction to history and Philosophy of Vishishtadvaita Tradition .
** epistemology of Ramanuja Philosophy
** Metaphysics of Ramanuja Philosophy
** Place of Vishistadvaita Philosophy in Vedantins Tradition

Unit-I :
** What Is Vedanta Shri- Vaishnavism and Visistadvaita, its antiquity, Predecessors of Ramanuna. Source of material for Visistandvaita Vedanta . Alvars and their literature. Ubhaya -Vedanta
** Meaning of 'Visistadvaita' Three realities (tattvatraya) Brahman as Ontological Reality: The Relation of Brahman to Cit and Acit

Unit-II :
** Parabrahman as the paramesvara : Meaning of Saguna and Nirguna, Nature and Attributes of God , Brahman as the Efficient, Material and Auxiliary cause
** Five forms of Parabrahman viz., Para, Vibhava, Vyuha , Antaryamin And Archa. Brahman as Immanent and Transcendent

Unit-III :
** a) Ramanuja's criticism of Sankara's Nirguna Brahman as pure consciousness
** b) Ramanuja's criticism of Sankara's Mayavada. Ramanuja's notion of the nature and the status of the world, Satkaryavada-Parinamavada. Relationship between God and world and Man and World

Unit- IV : Metaphysics and Language
** Nature of Individual Self (jivatman) plurality of Selves
** Kinds of selves. Baddha, Mukta and Nitya. Ramanuja's explanation of 'Tattvamasi'
** Pathway to God (Sadhana)
** Place of Jnan , Karma and Bhakti and their requirements Bhaktimarga -Upasana , sadhanasaptaka
** Praptti or Nyasa - vidya : The doctrine of surrender (Saranagati) Superiority of Praptti over Bhakti

Books Recommended:
1. P.N. srinivasachari - Philosophy of Visistadvaita - Adyar, Madras.
2. A Critical study of Ramanuja's Philosophy- Dr. Anima Sengupta , Motilal Banarasidas.
3. Yatindramata Dipika ( of Srinivasdas )- Text in Sanskrit with English Tr. Swami Adidevananda - Ramkrishna Mission publication, Mysore.
4. A History of Indian Philosphy : Vol. Ill - S.N. Dasgupta.

References:
1. Ramanuja's Teaching in His Own words - prof. Yamunacharya , Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan.
2. God, self and world in Ramanuja - Eric Lot.
3. Theory of Ramanuja - John Carman.
4. Shri Bhasya (Original Text with Tr. In English) - by Swami Adidivnanda, Ramkrishan Mission, Mysore.
5. Philosophy of Ramanuja – J.N. Sinha, Sinha Publishing House, Calcutta.
6. Gujarati Translation of Shree Bhashya – A.B. Dhruva.