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 > <[email protected]> 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 >> <[email protected] <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) >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> > > _______________________________________________ > INDOLOGY mailing list > [email protected] > https://list.indology.info/mailman/listinfo/indology
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