Identity as Reasoned Choice

Jonardon Ganeri writes on Indian philosophical theory in relation to the analytical tradition, on early South Asian modernity, and on conceptions of the human subject.

"Drawing on premodern answers to rethink postmodern questions, and doing so with a philosopher's rigor, a non-philosopher's readability, and enormously creative thinking, Jonardon Ganeri does two important things at once. He suggests how to move forward into the future on the thorniest problems of self-identification, while revealing the depths of India's intellectual past and the resources it can offer for that task." -Sheldon Pollock, Columbia University

• PrefaceIntroduction: The Reach and Resources of ReasonPART I: PUBLIC REASON PROMOTED1. An Ideal of Public ReasonPublic reason in the Questions of MilindaAn ideal of public reason in the Nyaya-sutra2. Ancient Indian Logic as a Theory of Case-Based ReasoningA model of reasoning in the Nyaya-sutraThe theory transformedRetrieving the ancient case-based model3. Neutrality: a Theory From the Time of AsokaA Buddhist treatise on public reason: the Elements of DialogueEight stances in a dialogueThe 'way forward' and the 'way back'4. Local Norms: the Priority of the ParticularRules versus casesThree models of particulars as standardsParticulars as paradigms in the Nyaya-sutraParticulars as prototypes in the Ritual SutrasPART II: PRACTICAL REASON RESOURCED5. The Critic WithinMultiple HinduismsA dissenting voiceMeeting reason with reasonEvidence, expertise and assentReligion and reason6. Adapt and SubstituteThe hermeneutics of ritualEthics in the Hindu canonThe reason of sagesAdaptive reasoning from paradigms7. Model Humans and Moral InstinctsPersons as paradigms of exemplary conductEthical dilemmas: the 'case' The heart's approval: moral instinctPART III: DISSENT8. Implied Voices of DissentThe paradox of inquiryInquiry as adjudicationThe challenge reformulated in Sa?kara9. Can One Seek to Answer any Question? Srihar?aOn questioning: the pragmatics of interrogative dialogueThe prior knowledge argumentAgainst aimingThe longing for knowledgePART IV: IDENTITY, FOUND OR FASHIONED?10. On the Formation of SelfSpiritual exercises and the aesthetic analogyPhilosophy as medicinePlutarch and the Buddhists: returning oneself to the presentA life complete at every momentTaming the selfPhilosophy and the ends of life11. Problems of Self and IdentityReincarnation and personal identityHigher and lower selvesBad thoughts and conscienceNo self?Being true to your individual self12. Identity and Illusions about the SelfSpeaking about the selfPolestar and compass: two modes of practical reasonThe ethics of self-deception and the reach of reasonCognitive stories13. "What You Are You Do Not See, What You See is Your Shadow"The philosophical doubleThe double in Mauni's fictionSelf to selfInhabiting an identityPART V: IDENTITY & THE MODERN INTELLECTUAL14. Interpreting Intellectual IndiaQuestions of methodObjectivityImmersion15. An Exemplary Indian IntellectualBimal Krishna MatilalA conversation among equalsA common ground?16. India and the Shaping of Global Intellectual CultureCovert borrowingsOther routes of influenceConcluding SummaryBibliography