Salvation in Indian Philosophy ~ Perfection and Simplicity for Vaiśeṣika

This study offers a comprehensive treatment of the notion of ‘Salvation’ or Liberation (Niḥśreyasa/Mokṣa) in classical Indian Philosophy, placing particular emphasis on ‘Vaiśeṣika’, one of India’s oldest classical systems. In doing so, the author overviews six classical Indian philosophical schools, highlighting their marked emphasis on the ultimate ontological elements of ‘world’ and ‘self’. 

Then, from a comparative philosophical perspective, the author contextualises Liberation (mokṣa), the fourth goal of life in classical Indian Philosophy, in terms of classical Greek Philosophy, specifically Aristotle’s three goals of life in Ethics. 

An extensive introduction to Indian soteriology, this book will be an important reference work for academics interested in comparative religion and philosophy, Indian philosophy, Asian religion and South Asian Studies. 

Ionut Moise is a tutor in Comparative Philosophy at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS), University of Oxford, UK.