No thinking person can avoid philosophizing now and then. Reflection on any aspect of human thought and experience is sublimated to serious philosophy when it ascends to higher regions of thought. In principle, one can philosophize on any subject: on sport or the stock market, on a loss or politics, or even on philosophy. But there are topics that have inspired philosophers over the ages. These are the traditional branches of academic philosophy. Philosophy seeks a rational and insightful framework for both scientific knowledge and religious perspectives. It reflects on the foundations on which the structures of science, religion and all human thought, experience, and behavior are built. Like fruits and flowers, philosophies come in a variety of forms and colors. This range and variety of philosophical positions constitutes polysophy: Views and visions in multiple splendor. Polysophy has enriched individuals by provoking them to think. Philosophers have affected societies by stirring people to act or abstain, they have shaped our picture of the world, and influenced the course of history. In their impact on the human mind they are somewhat like religions, but less overtly so. If we probe into the roots of our opinions and convictions we will discover that philosophers, unbeknownst to us, have played a role in constructing and shaping them. A Treasure
Reviewed in the United States
This book is a treasure trove of ideas for anyone who wants to expand their understanding of the world in which they live. It talks about the type of terminology used by philosophers as they discuss major issues concerning the nature and origins of various features of our planetary home. The discussions of the philosophic terms are done in a manner that does not look like philosophy is being discussed. The philosophical terminology is translated into very easy to understand descriptions and explanations. So it is perfect for someone who wants a mild and enjoyable introduction to philosophic thinking. Most of the words that receive attention are the names of different groups of people that have lived over the ages by adhering to certain ways of thinking. Or the terms may simply be the names of that particular manner of thinking. For the manner of thinking about life and the world to make sense it must be in accord with certain regular patterns occurring in a normal human life. It must be useful for living in our complex world. Learning the uses of the words, or the pattern of thinking, is likely to open up new features of our everyday world that we had not noticed before. This is the attribute that is perhaps the most common characteristic of this book. It opens up ways of seeing aspects of our world and our lives that we simply had not paid much attention to, and shows they are worthy of our attention. Dr. Raman is a very special author. He is a physicist and philosopher who has received many awards along with publishing many books, papers, and articles. He has also held a large number of prestigious positions. To my mind among his most amazing characteristics are his sense of humor and his poetic abilities. He was born in India and now speaks several languages. His English is virtually indistinguishable from that of native speakers of English. He has an enormous amount of cultural knowledge which he shares in this book. Each section of the book provides interesting and pleasant insights into issues that are very important to our lives He is a gift to have among us. As a retired philosophy professor, I have been thinking that the book could serve as one of the books used in an introduction to philosophy course. It provides images of life in this world that could serve as “grounding” for philosophical terms and ideas of the type that one might encounter in an introduction to philosophy course. And it does that while being a delightful read. Professor Eugene Troxell University of San Diego
Jerald L. Robertson
Polysophy is an unbiased sampling of 85 isms
I had the privilege to read the “chapters’ of POLYSOPHY (many isms, my interpretation) before they were put together in book form. V.V. emailed them out one at a time several times a week for most for a year. I advise you to read them in a similar fashion. That way you can better digest and appreciated them. I believe you will find them a satisfying read, sort of like nibbling on a box of fine chocolates. They are well favored with V.V.’s insights.
Scientific, philosophical, religious and political ‘isms’ affect our worldviews and thus our lives in meaningful and substantial ways. It is best if we have some understanding of the major ones. Dr. Raman provides this in his usual clear, objective and sagely manner.
In my opinion, this text is required reading for those looking for an introduction to major philosophical systems and would serve as an excellent text for a preliminary philosophy course.
Polysophy is rich in content and easy to read even though it is a book on philosophies. I believe you will find it well worth your reading time and following contemplations. In addition, you will gain a better understanding of what Truth, Belief, and Reality are via the isms he addresses.
rajaram
RAJARAM
Truly, the short essays portray very deep understanding of multiple dimensional human thought and reflections in all its glory. A must read for thinkers.
Polysophy Bahudarshana: Reflections on major philosophical systems
No thinking person can avoid philosophizing now and then. Reflection on any aspect of human thought and experience is sublimated to serious philosophy when it ascends to higher regions of thought. In principle, one can philosophize on any subject: on sport or the stock market, on a loss or politics, or even on philosophy. But there are topics that have inspired philosophers over the ages. These are the traditional branches of academic philosophy. Philosophy seeks a rational and insightful framework for both scientific knowledge and religious perspectives. It reflects on the foundations on which the structures of science, religion and all human thought, experience, and behavior are built. Like fruits and flowers, philosophies come in a variety of forms and colors. This range and variety of philosophical positions constitutes polysophy: Views and visions in multiple splendor. Polysophy has enriched individuals by provoking them to think. Philosophers have affected societies by stirring people to act or abstain, they have shaped our picture of the world, and influenced the course of history. In their impact on the human mind they are somewhat like religions, but less overtly so. If we probe into the roots of our opinions and convictions we will discover that philosophers, unbeknownst to us, have played a role in constructing and shaping them.
This book is a treasure trove of ideas for anyone who wants to expand their understanding of the world in which they live. It talks about the type of terminology used by philosophers as they discuss major issues concerning the nature and origins of various features of our planetary home. The discussions of the philosophic terms are done in a manner that does not look like philosophy is being discussed. The philosophical terminology is translated into very easy to understand descriptions and explanations. So it is perfect for someone who wants a mild and enjoyable introduction to philosophic thinking. Most of the words that receive attention are the names of different groups of people that have lived over the ages by adhering to certain ways of thinking. Or the terms may simply be the names of that particular manner of thinking. For the manner of thinking about life and the world to make sense it must be in accord with certain regular patterns occurring in a normal human life. It must be useful for living in our complex world. Learning the uses of the words, or the pattern of thinking, is likely to open up new features of our everyday world that we had not noticed before. This is the attribute that is perhaps the most common characteristic of this book. It opens up ways of seeing aspects of our world and our lives that we simply had not paid much attention to, and shows they are worthy of our attention. Dr. Raman is a very special author. He is a physicist and philosopher who has received many awards along with publishing many books, papers, and articles. He has also held a large number of prestigious positions. To my mind among his most amazing characteristics are his sense of humor and his poetic abilities. He was born in India and now speaks several languages. His English is virtually indistinguishable from that of native speakers of English. He has an enormous amount of cultural knowledge which he shares in this book. Each section of the book provides interesting and pleasant insights into issues that are very important to our lives He is a gift to have among us. As a retired philosophy professor, I have been thinking that the book could serve as one of the books used in an introduction to philosophy course. It provides images of life in this world that could serve as “grounding” for philosophical terms and ideas of the type that one might encounter in an introduction to philosophy course. And it does that while being a delightful read. Professor Eugene Troxell University of San Die
Jerald L. Robertson
I had the privilege to read the “chapters’ of POLYSOPHY (many isms, my interpretation) before they were put together in book form. V.V. emailed them out one at a time several times a week for most for a year. I advise you to read them in a similar fashion. That way you can better digest and appreciated them. I believe you will find them a satisfying read, sort of like nibbling on a box of fine chocolates. They are well favored with V.V.’s insights.
Scientific, philosophical, religious and political ‘isms’ affect our worldviews and thus our lives in meaningful and substantial ways. It is best if we have some understanding of the major ones. Dr. Raman provides this in his usual clear, objective and sagely manner.
In my opinion, this text is required reading for those looking for an introduction to major philosophical systems and would serve as an excellent text for a preliminary philosophy course.
Polysophy is rich in content and easy to read even though it is a book on philosophies. I believe you will find it well worth your reading time and following contemplations. In addition, you will gain a better understanding of what Truth, Belief, and Reality are via the isms he addresses.
rajaram
Truly, the short essays portray very deep understanding of …
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2018
Truly, the short essays portray very deep understanding of multiple dimensional human thought and reflections in all its glory. A must read for thinkers.
Spurts of Thought 