Hinduism
Rig Veda
The Rig Veda follows a four-step non-linear form of logic, different from classical Western logic:
Aristotelian Syllogism versus Non-linear or Four-step Logic (Sanskrit:
Catus-koti)
Aristotelian, propositional (term) logic:
All Greeks are men
All men are mortal
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All Greeks are mortal
Tetralemma or Four-step Logic; Catus-koti:
A exists
A doesn't exist
A both exists and doesn't exist
A neither exists nor doesn't exist
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No final propositional conclusion
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad
Gita is the most widely read sacred scripture in Hinduism. At
the heart of the story is familial conflict, war, and sacred duty. The
key concept in the background of the Gita is KARMA, actions
that have consequences, moral and religious. More specifically, Krishna
is leading Arjuna towards a greater awareness of KARMA, or KARMIC
AWARENESS of consequences. He is telling Arjuna that if he follows the
path of the warrior without attachment (non-attachment), then he will
eventually attain moksa, liberation from the continual round of existence,
or samsara. He will begin to see that he had previously been wedded to
an illusion of self, but through non-attached action (karma), he will
become more aware - of himself, of the humanity of his enemies, and
eventually of Brahman, the Supreme Reality beyond and before words.
Krishna in an incarnation of Vishnu, who is like the Supreme Being, Brahman, who is ultimately formless. For our purposes, Krishna may be regarded as the incarnation of the supreme, formless deity.
Arjuna is the
warrior-general, leader of his clan. He is also known as Partha, Son of
Kunti
400-100 BCE: Development of Bhagavad Gita - Part of a great epic known as the Mahabharata.