International Conference: "On the Nature of Consciousness : Vedanta Philosophy"
- Date: November 21-- 24, 2013 -

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON
"On the Nature of Consciousness: Classical and
Contemporary Debates in Vedanta Philosophy"

Date: November 21-- 24, 2013
Venue: Department of Philosophy, Assam University, Silchar

Important dates to remember:
Abstract submission: 15th October, 2013
Full paper submission: 15th November, 2013
Revised papers submission after the conference: 25th December, 2013
Publication of Conference Proceedings: 15th February, 2014

Contact: Dr. Adarasupally Nataraju
Conference Co-ordinator
Department of Philosophy, Assam University, Silchar 788011
Email: [email protected]


Theme of the International Conference, 21-24 November, 2013.
On the Nature of Consciousness: Classical and Contemporary Debates in Vedanta Philosophy
(Introductory Paper - Objectives, Sub-topics of the theme and Justification).

The distinctive voices of Vedanta philosophy brought in energy, excitement, creativity and originality into the conversations on philosophical issues in India from the classical times to the present. The classical Indian tradition and contemporary argumentative minds were both equally influenced by the Vedantic ideas. There is no denying the fact that Vedanta forged a new Indian philosophical idiom to which both contemporary Indian and global philosophy are indebted.

Vedanta philosophy coupled with Sanskrit language challenge the slavery brought forth by blindly adhering to methodologies of doing philosophy on a western model. The voice and tongue being borrowed, the subjugation of the soul is complete in all aspects. The collective consciousness of the oriental civilization found a creative and original way of doing philosophy in Vedanta and a new school of thinkers in contemporary times engaged creatively both with classical Indian tradition and with the philosophy of the west and this resulted in Neo-Vedanta school whose chief proponents were Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, K.C. Bhattacharya, Sri Aurobindo, Prof. Hiriyanna, Prof. T.M.P. Mahadevan etc. They influenced the thinking of generations of students of philosophy world across.

The Contemporary Vedantins' (Academic) understanding of classical Indian philosophy and their exposure to western thought has resulted in creative and original philosophizing. This Neo-Vedanta school and its 'new Indian philosophical idiom' have contributed immensely to contemporary Indian and global philosophy. The methodology is different from analytical, phenomenological, and hermeneutics. The richness and content of Indian philosophy inspired all these thinkers. In order to survive in the world arena of philosophy they recognized that grounding their arguments on metaphysical presuppositions of Vedanta would serve the purpose. As Professor J.N.Mohanty aptly describes: 'the politics of knowledge' needed to be won by having a style, content and methodology distinct from western model. The western philosophers and their theories needed to be tested from Indian perspectives taking western ideas as 'purvapaksha'.

The conversations, classical and contemporary, in Vedanta range over issues such as the nature, content and structure of consciousness. We can see the discussions on the science of consciousness in the writings of K.C. Bhattacharya, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, J. Krishnamurti, Prof. R. Balasubrahmanin, J.N. Mohanty etc. J.Krishnamurti is not a Vedantin in the strict sense of the term but we cannot ignore him while talking about consciousness theories of contemporary Indian thinkers. The studies on the Phenomenology of Consciousness mainly focused on comparing the works of say Sankara and Kant; Husserl, Frege, Wittgenstein and Sankara, etc,. This seminar aims at deliberating upon the nature and functions of consciousness and answers the questions such as: Is consciousness a property of mind or is it distinct from mind? Or is it a constituent of mind? Is mind equated with brain? What is the content and structure of consciousness? What is an Indian philosopher's answer to 'intentionality of consciousness'?

Though the name of the conference suggests that the problematic of the conference is set in the context of Vedanta Philosophy, we would welcome research papers on Consciousness from classical and contemporary western perspectives, People working in the field of Phenomenology and Analytic Philosophy are equally welcome.. Cognitive Science is one area where we would like to devote a session during the conference. People from science can also present their findings, for the dividing line between science and philosophy is becoming obscure by every passing day. We hope to create an ambiance that would encourage academic discussion and meaningful dialogue.

Sub-topics of the theme

01. The Science of Consciousness: Intentionality and Reflexivity.
From the philosophies of Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Vallabha, Nimbarka, Bhartrhari, Sriharsha, Vidyaranya, Vachaspati, Nagarjuna, and K.C.Bhattacharya, Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, J.Krishnamurti, Hiriyanna, Prof. R.Balasubramanian, Prof. J.N.Mohanty etc.
02. Atman and Brahman Inquiries
03. Collective Human Welfare and Individual Liberation
04. Neo-Vedanta philosophy's concerns, goals, inquiries, methodology, style etc.
05. The possibility of exploring new-darshanas
06. The Limits of Logic, Reason and a critique of Sabda Pramana.
07. The Place of Advaita in Indian Philosophy—A Meta-Philosophical Approach.
08. The Scientific Explorations in to Consciousness Studies.
09. Cognitive Science and Consciousness Studies.
10. Phenomenology and Consciousness Studies.
11. Analytic Tradition and Consciousness Studies.

Note. This concept note will be re-worked and a detailed problematic would be re-loaded soon.

Contact.
Dr. Adarasupally Nataraju
Professor & Conference Coordinator
Department of Philosophy Assam University, Silchar. 788011
Email: [email protected]

for details http://www.aus.ac.in/vedanta%20conference%20date%204-7-2013.pdf
http://www.aus.ac.in/