INQ-270 | Reality and Illusion

Full Title: Reality and Illusion: Samkara's Vision

Topic Description:

This course focuses on the Indian sage Samkara, who founded a system of thought, Advaita Vedanta, that has had a profound influence in India and that continues to attract millions of followers around the world today. Central to his thought is a view of reality that is radically different from the western common sense view of the world, along with an equally radical view about how one should lead one’s life. Samkara’s work raises the questions, then, what is ultimately real, how do we come to awareness of reality, and what implications might this awareness have for one’s life? We will explore Samkara’s writings as well as the cultural and religious contexts in which they arose.

Counts as Global? No

Topic Approved: February 2014