Join us for a discussion on “Revisiting Shastraic Reasoning: The Contribution of Mimamsa and Vedanta to a Contemporary Hindu Ethics.”
The paper, “Mīmāṃsā, Vedānta, and the Case of Śūdras: Is there a Role for Śāstraic Reasoning in Contemporary Hindu Ethics?” written by Prof. Francis Clooney, questions the view that śāstraic reasoning is outdated. Prof. Clooney argues instead that its rigorous interpretation of śruti, smṛti, and sūtras offers valuable insights for modern ethical discourse, even on challenging topics such as varṇan and jāti.
By examining the adhikāra of śūdras for Vedic study in Mīmāṃsā Sūtras VI.1.25-38 and Uttara Mīmāṃsā Sūtras I.3.34-38, the discussion will highlight how classical interpreters such as Śabaraswāmin, Śaṃkara, and Rāmānuja balance strict adherence to rules with the possiblity of exceptions that the way to inclusivity for all. Prof. Clooney will summarize his paper, and discuss it with his learned respondents.
Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm IST / 8:30 am to 10:00 am EST
Venue: Online (on Zoom)
Moderator:
Prof. Francis X. Clooney, Parkman Professor of Divinity, Professor of Comparative Theology, Harvard Divinity School (HDS)
Panelists:
• Dr. Ananya Vajpeyi, Associate Professor, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies
• Prof. Patrick Olivelle, Professor Emeritus of Asian Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
