India: What can it teach us? / A Course of Lectures Delivered before the University Of Cambridge

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20847

Title

India: What can it teach us? / A Course of Lectures Delivered before the University Of Cambridge

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In these lectures, F. Max Müller challenges the notion that India is a land of strange customs and deceitful people. Written with freedom and animation, the text explores the truthful character of Hindus, the human interest of Sanskrit literature, and the profound lessons found in the Veda. Müller argues that India offers essential insights into the history of the human mind, urging scholars to look beyond Greek and Roman history to understand the origins of language, religion, and philosophy.

Summary up to 500 words

In *India: What Can It Teach Us?*, F. Max Müller delivers a series of lectures before the University of Cambridge aimed at dismantling deep-seated prejudices held by English civil servants and scholars regarding India. Müller begins by challenging the pervasive belief that Indians are inherently untruthful. He argues that this generalization is a flawed induction based on isolated incidents rather than the character of the entire nation. Citing the diverse nature of Indian races and the testimony of eminent civil servants, he demonstrates that qualities such as courage, generosity, and veracity are widespread among the population. He specifically refutes the notion that the intellectual life of India is alien to the West, asserting instead that India occupies a second place to no other country in the study of the human mind. Müller emphasizes that India serves as a vital repository for materials concerning language, religion, mythology, and philosophy. He advocates for the study of Sanskrit as an essential element of liberal education, noting that India is the source of the most natural of natural religions and the inventors of subtle philosophy. He further discusses the human interest of Sanskrit literature, suggesting it provides a key to history and an auxiliary to intellectual progress. Throughout the text, Müller maintains his stance as a scholar rather than a theologian, refusing to attack or defend Christian theology while presenting his findings on ancient Indian religion and literature. The lectures also address the 'icy barrier' of mistrust between rulers and the ruled, urging young scholars to continue the exploration of Sanskrit literature. Müller honors the legacy of pioneers like Sir William Jones, warning that the intellectual conquest of India must not be left to other countries. He defends the lecture style as the most natural form for communicating knowledge in the modern age, encouraging students to work hard and explore the vast continent of Sanskrit literature, even if their labors are initially unrequited. By appealing to logic and historical evidence, Müller seeks to replace contempt with fellowship and to ensure that the English-speaking world remains at the forefront of Oriental scholarship.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Religion
• Philosophy
• India