Indian cognitivism and the phenomenology of conceptualization

Abstract

We perform conceptual acts throughout our daily lives; we are always judging others, guessing their intentions, agreeing or opposing their views and so on. These conceptual acts have phenomenological as well as formal richness. This paper attempts to correct the imbalance between the phenomenal and formal approaches to conceptualization by claiming that we need to shift from the usual dichotomies of cognitive science and epistemology such as the formal/empirical and the rationalist/ empiricist divides-to a view of conceptualization grounded in the Indian philosophical notion of "valid cognition". Methodologically, our paper is an attempt at cross-cultural philosophy and cognitive science; ontologically, it is an attempt at marrying the phenomenal and the formal.

Conceptualising Bhāvana: How do contemplative Hindu traditions inform understanding emotions and well-being?

“…In terms of methods in Indian contemplative and applied psychology, phenomenology has been central and we note that Husserl distinguished between two aspects of firstperson experience; first as a formal act of theorisation and second as an act of experience. Among Indian philosophers, Mohanty as well as Ramprasad (Gupta, 2021;Kasturirangan et al, 2011;Mohanty, 2001;Ram-Prasad, 2018;Siderits et al, 2011) have recognised this particular distinction between Indian philosophy leading to applied psychology and living practice of well-being along with an analytical articulation comparable to the continental tradition of phenomenology as formal philosophy. Ramprasad identifies the theoretical school of phenomenology with a 'P' (in caps), whereas the cognitive discipline and commitment of bracketing and non-judgemental awareness, essential in contemplation is used with a 'p' (small caps).…”