Vedanta Philosophy - Metaphysics, Epistemology & Axiology


Vedanta Philosophy

Chief Founder - Badarayana
Others Exponents - Sankara, Ballava, Nimbarka, Ramanuja etc.
Beginning Time - 1500 BCE
Focus - The essence of the Vedas
Type of School  - Orthodox (Astika)
Source Book Badarayana’s- Vedanta Sutra
Sub schools of Vedanta- Advaita of Sankara, Visistadvaita of Ramanuja and Dvaita of Madhva and many more.
It is also known as Uttara Mimansa

Metaphysics of Vedanta

Vedata spoke of One Reality (ekam sat) which is spoken of in various ways by the sages.

It spoke of That One (tad ekam) that created the world. The Upanishads called it Brahman.

Brahman is the Reality of the reality. It is the cause of all created things

Brahman is the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the world.

All creatures spring out of Brahman. They live in Brahman and are reabsorbed in Brahman.

Brahman is the cosmic principle, atman is the psychic principle. It is the inner self in man

It implies that creation is self-expression and self communication of God to the creatures.

Creation is a moral act of willing and self-sacrifice of Brahman.


Epistemology of Vedanta

Vedanta Philosophy divided knowledge into two parts

Apara (Temporal or practical): The knowledge of different phases of this material world and human life

Para (spiritual): Ved, Brhmana, Aranayak And Metaphysics Of Geeta are Para knowledge.

To gain both of these knowledge Shankar has encouraged the method of
Sharvana (Listening)
Manan (Rumination)
Nidhidyasana (Contemplation)


Axiology of Vedanta
Vedanta accepts the distinction made by the Kathopanishad between happiness (Preyas) and the highest good (Sreyas).

The highest Good is the realization of the eternal universal self in man. Vidya leads to self-realization.
Atman can be realized by one who does practice self-control, desirelessness, and concentration of mind.

Karma is not excluded from moral life.

Prescribed actions should be performed without any desire or motive.

Karma purifies the mind; however it is only a preliminary step to self-knowledge.

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