This book explores the possibility of using Sanskrit as a basis for rethinking human thought and reflection, challenging the dominance of European intellectual traditions. Sanskrit, with its vast historical spread across Central, South, and Southeast Asia, as well as Europe, offers a unique reflective idiom that contrasts with the European conceptual frameworks that still dominate contemporary thinking in areas such as language, art, reason, justice, and politics. The book argues that European thinkers, despite acknowledging a shared linguistic root with Sanskrit (Indo-European), have followed a very different intellectual path, one that has historically been violent and continues to fuel contemporary conflicts.

In contrast, Sanskrit's long history of coexistence with diverse languages, cultures, and polities offers alternative possibilities for understanding justice and coexistence in today's globalized world. By comparing the reflective traditions of Sanskrit with European philosophical and linguistic categories, the book seeks to demonstrate how Sanskrit offers a more inclusive, less confrontational model for engaging with the world.

The book engages with Sanskrit texts, European philosophers, and language theorists to substantiate its claims. It argues that such a cross-cultural examination, which brings together the reflective traditions of both heritages, is necessary for a new kind of intellectual inquiry-one that moves beyond the entrenched paradigms of European thought and opens up new possibilities for coexistence and understanding.

About the Author

D. Venkat Rao teaches at the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. His recent work includes India, Europe and the Question of Cultural Difference (2021), Performative Reflections of Indian Traditions: Towards a Liveable Learning (2021), Critical Humanities from India: Contexts, Issues, Futures (2018) and Cultures of Memory in South Asia (2014), and others.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

RAREWAVES.COM LIMITED
Elsley Court, 20-22 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 8BE, United Kingdom

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Shipping Terms

Please note that we do not offer Priority shipping to any country.

We currently do not ship to the below countries:

Russia
Belarus
Ukraine

Please do not attempt to place orders with any of these countries as a ship to address - they will be cancelled.

Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.

Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Order quantity	10 to 15 business days	10 to 15 business days
First item	US$ 0.00	US$ 0.00

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.