[INDOLOGY] Analogues to Anselm's Ontological Arguments in Indian Philosophy?

[Jeffery Long]

Thank you, Matthew!

That is my impression as well: that there is nothing quite similar to or even analogous to Anselm’s arguments in Indian philosophical traditions. As you say, Gaṅgeśa and others in the Nyāya and Navya-Nyāya traditions developed arguments closer to the Western cosmological and design arguments. I have thus far not found anything quite like Anselm’s arguments.

I’ll be happy to learn if something is out there with which I am unfamiliar.

All the best!

Jeff
 
> On Jun 23, 2024, at 12:55 PM, Matthew Kapstein via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
> 
> 
>> But Jeff,
>> Anselm’s argument is not about self-evidence per se, it’s about conceivability, and in its second iteration, necessary being. I’m not aware of close analogues in Indian philosophy. The classical theistic arguments seem to mostly resemble the Western cosmological and design arguments. 
>> 
>> There are some interesting developments in GaNgeza, of course, but I think still not along the lines of the ontological argument. 
>> 
>> best
>> Matthew 
>> 
>> Sent from Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> for iOS
>> 
>> 
>> On Sun, Jun 23, 2024 at 18:17, Jeffery Long via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info <mailto:On Sun, Jun 23, 2024 at 18:17, Jeffery Long via INDOLOGY <<a href=>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Dear Colleagues,
>>> 
>>> Forgive me if this question has already been raised at some point on this list.
>>> 
>>> Are any of you aware of arguments developed in Indian philosophical systems akin to the ontological arguments for the existence of God raised by St. Anselm? The closest thing I can think of is Śaṅkara’s argument that existence is self-evident.
>>> 
>>> With much gratitude in advance,
>>> 
>>> Jeff
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Dr. Jeffery D. Long
>>> Carl W. Zeigler Professor of Religion, Philosophy, & Asian Studies
>>> School of Arts & Humanities
>>> Elizabethtown College
>>> Elizabethtown, PA
>>>  
>>> https://etown.academia.edu/JefferyLong
>>>  
>>> Series Editor, Explorations in Indic Traditions: Ethical, Philosophical, and Theological
>>> Lexington Books
>>>  
>>> “One who makes a habit of prayer and meditation will easily overcome all difficulties and remain calm and unruffled in the midst of the trials of life.”  (Holy Mother Sarada Devi)
>>>  
>>> “We are a way for the Cosmos to know itself.” (Carl Sagan)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> 
> 
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