Introduction

The Editor-in-Chief follows the standard practice in writing the Introduction, starting with a broad discussion of the book’s subject matter and highlighting the distinctive contributions it incorporates. The book does not restrict its readership exclusively to the world of philosophers. The circle of thinkers contributing articles to its making occasionally expands beyond the philosophy departments of academia, and crosses the limit even further to include critical thinking from outside of academia for potential benefit to professional philosophers. The book is inclusive not only in being an exercise in World Philosophy, but in involving people from outside of the fold of Philosophy in the task, without compromising with the rigours of philosophical thinking. The Introduction transitions to individual articles starting from PART I: WORLD PHILOSOPHY, and ending with EPILOGUE: INCORPORATING IDEAS FROM THE MAHABHARATA, introducing them to the reader. In the process the Editor provides commentary, at times extensive, pointing out the need that discussions of the articles might generate toward further academic work in the areas which could not be accommodated within the confines of this book. He elaborates, where necessary, on areas dealt with in the articles for the benefit of readers not familiar with Indian thoughts. While introducing the articles, he often relates one to the other, as the thoughts contained in an article follow on to those in another. The book indulges in the virtue of interracial amity while it responds to the call for celebration of the annual World Philosophy Day by UNESCO in November toward amelioration of some deep ills afflicting humanity through the practice of philosophical reasoning. The philosophical engagement in virtue ethics in this anthology emphasizes the concept of existential becoming Indian philosophy points to in the process of heeding the problems the world faces today.