Introduction to Eastern Philosophy: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Metaphysics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts introduced in the lecture on Eastern vs Western philosophy, particularly focusing on Hinduism.

Brahmanism

A metaphysical view in Hinduism that asserts the universe is made up of one kind of substance, referred to as Brahman.

Monism

The belief that reality is composed of one substance, contrasting with dualism, which posits two distinct substances.

Dualism

The belief that reality consists of two fundamentally different substances, such as mind and body.

Maya

In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, Maya refers to the illusion created by our sense experiences that distorts our understanding of reality.

Epistemology

The study of knowledge, including how we know what we know and the justification of belief.

Consciousness

A fundamental quality that, in Hinduism, is considered to be the essence of all beings and the universe itself, embodied in Brahman.

Sense Experience

The perception of the world through the five senses, which is central to Western philosophical thought but contested by Eastern philosophies for its reliability.

Perceptually Relative

The idea that our perceptions, including size, color, and heat, depend on the individual perceiver's perspective rather than reflecting objective reality.

What is monism?

Monism is the belief that reality is composed of one substance, contrasting with dualism, which posits two distinct substances.

In what sense are Hindus monists?

Hindus are considered monists as they believe in Brahman as the single, ultimate reality, indicating that all diversity in the universe is an expression of this one substance.

What is the Hindu (Buddhist) understanding of sense-experience?

In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, sense-experience is viewed as a possibly misleading perception of reality, leading to a misunderstanding of the true nature of existence.

How does this support Brahmanism?

The skepticism towards sensory experience supports Brahmanism by illustrating that true understanding transcends mere perception, emphasizing the need for realization of Brahman as the ultimate reality.

What is the Hindu notion of social caste?

The Hindu notion of social caste refers to a hierarchical social structure traditionally associated with occupations and roles in society, often linked to the spiritual ideologies within Hinduism