Abstract

Collegium Civitas; University of WarsawThe basic presumption is the need in Oriental studies to go much further than mere description of different civilisations. They should be compared with our own, and the question of whether the concepts evolved by those civilisations can help us better understand the reality in which we actually happen to live should be asked. For the adoption of this approach to the study of South Asia, it is suggested that European and Indian civilisations are ‘twins-unlike’. The paradox is intended since certain—so to say—general structural aspects of both civilisations are similar (geographical magnitude, variety of climate, size of population, and its anthropological, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity), but as far as content is concerned they are of course very much unlike each other. The conclusion of our comparison is that Indian traditional civilisation is that of sustenance and containment while the European one is that of progress, development and expansion. Proper synergy of the two tendencies is postulated for sustainable development to be achieved.

Highlights

  • The basic presumption is the need in Oriental studies to go much further than mere description of different civilisations

  • Oriental Studies follow the pattern of investigation established in the 19th century

  • The duty of an Orientalist seemed so far to be best performed when he limited himself to presentation of factual aspects of the civilisations investigated

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Summary

Introduction

The basic presumption is the need in Oriental studies to go much further than mere description of different civilisations. Such enquiry is especially called for in the case of Indian civilisation. The common provenience of our languages and of the character of both European and Indian civilisations, which can be termed ‘twins-unlike– civilisations’, makes this study truly unique.

Results
Conclusion

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