Economic Philosophy of an Ancient India

The article examines the philosophy of the economy of ancient India, a unique system of thinking that emphasizes the importance of observing moral principles in business and society as a whole. These ideas are especially relevant today, since, from the point of view of practice, can become the basis for building more stable and equitable economic systems. The philosophy of the economy of ancient India stands out for its stratification approach, which includes consideration of various social classes and their interaction in the economy, as well as an original understanding of the teachings of karma, dharma and harmony in the field of economy. The unique aspects of Indian economic philosophy have deep roots in ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads and Sutras. They continue to influence modern economic thinking, showing a high degree of universality, making a valuable contribution to modern economic thought and enriching it with ethical and spiritual aspects.

1. Shokhin V.K. Stratification of reality in the ontology of Advaita Vedanta. M.; 2004:8–9. (In Russ.).

2. Shokhin V. K. Analytical philosophy: some unbeaten paths. Philosophical Journal. 2015;8(2):16–27. (In Russ.).

3. Kautilya. Arthashastra or Science of Politics. Transl. from Sanskrit. Edition prepared by V. I. Kalyanov. Moscow; Leningrad: Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Sciences; 1959. 793 p. (In Russ.).

4. Pakhomov S.V. Dharmashastra. Indian philosophy: Encyclopedia. M. T. Stepanyants, ed.; Institute of Philosophy RAS. Moscow.: Vost. lit.; Academic Project; Gaudeamus; 2009:383–384. (In Russ.).

5. Deodhar S.Y. Economic Sutra: Ancient Indian antecedents to economic thought. IIMA: Penguin Portfolio; 2019. 232 p.

6. Shokhin V.K. Dharma. Indian philosophy: Encyclopedia. M.T. Stepanyants, ed.; Institute of Philosophy RAS. M.: Vost. lit.; Academic Project; Gaudeamus; 2009. p. 374. (In Russ.).

7. Danielu A. Virtue, Success, Pleasure, Liberation. The Four Aims of Life in the tradition of Ancient India. Rochester, Vermont; 1993. 192 p.

8. Srimad Bhagavatam. Canto 5. Chapter 8. Bhaktivedanta Vedabase. URL: https://vedabase.io/ru/library/sb/5/5/8/ (In Russ.).

9. Olivelle, Patrick. The Ashrama System: The history and hermeneutics of a religious institution. Oxford University Press; 1993. 274 p.

10. Laws of Manu. Transl. by S.D. Elmanovich. Moscow: Publishing House of Oriental Literature; 1960. 359 p. (In Russ.).

11. Pakhomov S.V. Varna Ashram. Indian philosophy: Encyclopedia. M. T. Stepanyants, ed.; Institute of Philosophy RAS. M.: Vost. lit.; Academic Project; Gaudeamus; 2009:226–227. (In Russ.).

12. Srimad Bhagavatam. Canto 11. Chapter 17. Bhaktivedanta Vedabase. URL: https://vedabase.io/ru/library/sb/11/17/advanced-view/#bb80676 (accessed on 12.19.23). (In Russ.).

13. Brown C. Mackenzie. Svaraj, the Indian ideal of freedom: a political or religious concept? Religious Studies. 1984;20(3):429–441. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0034412500016292

14. Makarov V.L. Social clusterism. Russian challenge. Moscow: Business Atlas; 2010. 272 p. (In Russ.).