Samkara's Examination Of The Absolute Ego

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Humans and the empirical world are part of the absolute consciousness, in that we are the absolute Ego’s examination of the non-Ego. Further inference would suggest that the world we perceive is finite and composed of parts because this is exactly what the absolute is not, the absolute Ego is one infinite entity. Samkara Samkara was an Indian philosopher/theologian credited for establishing many of the beliefs in main stream Hinduism. Samkara taught that there is one absolute consciousness which he called “Brahman”. Brahman holds a pantheistic role, and everything that is, is Brahman. The central theme and journey described in Samara’s philosophy is that the “Ataman” or self, is unaware of its existence as part of Brahman, and will one day identify itself with Brahman. When this occurs the metaphysical frustration that is our present world, will no longer exist, and instead everything will exist in a harmonious state. …show more content…

Whereas Fichte could only deduce his metaphysics through logic. Samkara advocates a direct relationship between Brahman and Ataman since they are essentially the same entity. This connection allows Samkara to attribute a number of things to Brahman through logical inference as well as a spiritual connection which he calls the “Turiya”. Thus the qualities of: Eternal, all knowing, self-sufficient, and immaterial are ascribed to Brahman. Taking notice of how profoundly other these qualities make Brahman, Samkara identifies “Isvara” or lower Brahman. Isvara is the anthropomorphized version of Brahman that humans are capable of worshipping. Though this version of Brahman is more of a formality, it provides explanation for the diverse and typically anthropomorphized versions of God worshipped in world religion. Isvara is then a vessel for religious pluralism in the Hindu faith.

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