Document Type : Original Article

Author

• Ali Naqi Baqershahi

Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran

Abstract

In its confrontation with Western philosophy, the Neo-Vedantian School of philosophy in India had a constructive approach, and Bhattacharya's approach in this regard is considered to be an example of a Neo-Vedantian approach. The present article is an attempt to explore the notion of negation as his metaphysical foundation. Indeed, negation in Bhattacharya's philosophy is rooted in Upanishad's concept of neti neti through which one can attain the absolute. In his view the terrain of negation is the terrain of indetermination, so the absolute should be considered as negation, for any known or affirmative matter may change it into a kind of determined matter. Accordingly, in his view, the only way to achieve the absolute is to follow the process of negation. Moreover, the absolute is understandable only through negation, for its content is not expressible. Yet, it does not mean that it is unknown and unrecognizable. Bhattacharya refers to Kant and Hegel's views and criticizes their views.

Keywords

• Neo-Vedantian
• Bhattacharya
• the notion of negation
• the absolute
• Vedanta school of thought