Unconscious forces: a survey of some concepts in Indian philosophy

Author: Näreaho L.

Source: Asian Philosophy, Volume 14, Number 2, July 2004 , pp. 117-129(13)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

In this article, I examine some traditional Indian conceptions of unconscious mental activity. There are concepts in the Indian philosophical tradition, notably samsk amacr

ras and v

san

s, which can be taken to refer to unconscious mental states and dispositions. My discussion, which is essentially philosophical by nature, is loosely based on the English philosopher C.D. Broad's distinctions concerning the unconscious. Samsk amacr

ras, which are interpreted realistically in Indian tradition, may manifest themselves as what I (and Broad) call relatively unconscious states. Evidence for this interpretation can be found in discussions concerning the nature of dream state and the supernatural powers of yogis in Indian tradition. It is interesting to try to view the retributive system of karma as an absolutely unconscious system, but this is not a plausible interpretation of the Indian view of karma.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/0955236042000237363

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