Upanishadic neti neti and hegelian dialectic
Upanishadic neti, neti, not this, not that, and Hegel's dialectic, while distinct, share a common thread: the use of negation and movement to arrive at a deeper understanding of reality. Though Hegel's dialectic focuses on developing concepts through thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, neti, neti is a process that enables an inquirer to arrive at the ineffable nature of Brahmn, Ultimate Reality.
Hegel's dialectic is a method of philosophical inquiry positing that reality progresses through a dynamic interplay of opposing forces: a thesis, a proposition or idea; its antithesis, a counterproposition; synthesis, a new proposition that reconciles the two. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad employs neti, neti to describe the nature of Brahmn, the ultimate reality. While there are dissimilarities between Hegelian dialectic and Upanishadic neti, neti , both systems are unanimous on one count: rejection of absolutist ideas.
Nothing can be called the ultimate truth because even the socalled truth is never the universal truth – neti, neti. What perpetually eludes us is the Ultimate Truth. According to Nyaya Shastra, there are only subjective truths and relative realities.
Spiritual quest must never stop. It should go on and on. 'Tujhe paa lene mein woh betaab kaifiyat kahan/Zindagi woh hai jo teri justajoo mein kat gayee.' In other words, it's always better to travel than to arrive. Hegel believed that to negate is a man's intellectual fate. Both Hegel and Upanishads must be understood and appreciated in today's context of obstinacy, to use Foucault's phrase, when every religion insists that it's the only chosen path and every belief system calls itself the best and flawless.
Both Hegel and Upanishads believe in transcendence of ideas and existing truths. Marcel Proust believed there was no end to spiralling ascendancy of quality. It's like perfection. You can only strive for it, but you can never become perfect. One, therefore, needs to keep improving and evolving till the last breath. To be an absolutist is to close all doors to Truth. Religions and their moral codes are periodic and relative truths. So, when we insist that what we know is the absolute truth, it blocks further inquiry and exploration into the nature of reality and different ways people experience Ultimate Reality.
As veils lift, more profound mysteries, echoing ongoing nature of spiritual and intellectual exploration, are revealed to those who continue to inquire. As we peel away layers of ignorance or illusion, we will find that journey of understanding and knowledge is an ongoing process. Hegelian dialectics and Upanishadic wisdom emphasise that true understanding is not a destination but a continuous journey. Once we understand Hegelian dialectic and imbibe the spirit of Upanishads , we can expand the scope of our knowledge and understanding. It'll also mellow us, inculcate universal empathy and enhance our ability to engage in dialogue. For some, it may facilitate satori.
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author's own.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
14 hours ago
- India Today
How ancient traditions can inspire inquiry-based learning today
Long before textbooks and board exams, knowledge was passed down through oral traditions, where the bond between teacher and student was central. The gurukul system, for instance, offered a holistic education that blended logic, philosophy, science, arts, and ethics. Most importantly, it placed enquiry at the heart of learning. Teachers encourage students to ask questions, often responding with thought-provoking counter-questions to nurture critical FROM BHAGAVAD GITAA striking example is found in the Bhagavad Gita, where Arjuna's doubts on the battlefield are met not with rigid commands, but with guidance that urges introspection. Krishna's responses are less about dictating answers and more about awakening clarity of thought—demonstrating how education can nurture understanding rather than Indian traditions valued viveka (discernment), shraddha (faith with reasoning), and anubhava (experiential understanding). These principles shaped education into an active pursuit of wisdom, rather than passive absorption of CLASSROOMS OF THE FUTURE In contrast, modern systems often reward rote memorisation over mastery. Students are discouraged from questioning prescribed curricula or deviating from expected answers. Creativity is curbed, subjects remain compartmentalised, and the classroom is reduced to a one-way lecture. The outcome: learners conditioned to absorb knowledge without exploring its argue that reintroducing dialogue-based learning need not mean discarding structure; it means reshaping it to encourage curiosity. Approaches inspired by the Socratic and Upanishadic methods could help classrooms shift from being answer-driven to inquiry-led. Reflective assessments could evaluate perspectives gained alongside knowledge small changes can spark transformation. A mathematics class can begin with 'why does this formula work?' instead of just 'how to solve it.' A history lesson can present multiple perspectives rather than a single narrative. Science teachers can invite challenges to existing theories. When learners are given the space to ask 'why' and 'what if,' education moves from compliance to traditions never feared doubt they embraced it. Doubt, after all, was seen as the starting point of wisdom. At a time when the world faces increasingly complex challenges, nurturing curiosity and dialogue could be key to preparing a generation not just equipped with answers, but empowered to ask better then, should not conclude with a full stop it must begin with a question mark.a question mark.- EndsMust Watch
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Bhashyotsava national conference begins at NSU
Tirupati: As part of the three-day Bhashyotsava at National Sanskrit University (NSU), Tirupati, the national conference was inaugurated on Monday. Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham pontiff Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swami addressed the participants virtually at the inaugural session and blessed them. Sadhu Bhadresh Das Swamiji from Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi, addressed the gathering and reflected on the spiritual and philosophical depth of the Akshar Purushottam Bhashya, with particular focus on its interpretation of the Prasthana Trayi — the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras. The inaugural session featured notable scholars, including UGC Vice Chairperson and ICAPR Chairman Prof Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Prof Sachidananda Mishra, Acharya Harekrishna Sathapati, Prof Murali Manohar Pathak, and Prof Sukhant Kumar Senapati. The speakers highlighted the enduring philosophical relevance and social value of classical commentaries on the Prasthana Trayi, both in Sanskrit and in vernacular languages. Presiding over the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof GSR Krishna Murthy underscored the relevance of these ancient interpretations in addressing the challenges of modern society. He also expressed his appreciation to the organisations and individuals supporting the conference.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Musthafa Moulavi's ‘all-religion juma' prayers strike chord in Kerala
He believes the term 'mushirik' has been misinterpreted to mean idolaters and polytheists. 'But the actual meaning of the term is anti-social, those who should be isolated in society. It does not mean idolaters,' Moulavi said. He said his position is based on the Quran, authentic narrations of the life of the Prophet and his companions, holy scriptures before the Quran, and logical reasoning. 'I take into account holy books such as Vedas, Upanishads, Bible, texts of Confucius, and the works of Sree Narayana Guru, besides the Quran,' Moulavi said. People who attend the juma can follow their own praying styles. 'Muslims can continue with the style they have been following. Similarly, a person from a different faith can have his or her prayers,' he said. Gouriprasad Hari, a Sikh devotee, said it was a rare experience to participate in the Eid Gah organised by Moulavi in Kozhikode. 'It is certainly a welcome move, especially at a time when the emotion of hate is increasing,' he said. Moulavi has earned both admirers and adversaries with his way of interpreting Islam. He is currently engaged in writing a 'humanistic' commentary of the Quran, titled 'Akam Porul', which is a reading of the holy text in the light of the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru.
