Akshay Gupta - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Akshay Gupta

Research paper thumbnail of A Cross-Cultural Perspective on God's Personhood

Religious Studies

Debates about God's personhood, or lack thereof, are central to philosophy of religion. This pape... more Debates about God's personhood, or lack thereof, are central to philosophy of religion. This paper aims to advance these debates by presenting the "greatness of personhood argument" for God's personhood and a dilemma for those who deny God's personhood. I also consider various objections to this argument and this dilemma and argue that they fail. Notably, my reasoning in defence of personal theism is cross-cultural insofar as personal theists across various religious traditions can use it. Thus, this paper defends personal theism in a manner that can bring Western and non-Western theists into closer dialogue regarding the topic of God's personhood.

Research paper thumbnail of To Infinity and Beyond: Three Interpretations of Beginningless Karman and Their Implications

Research paper thumbnail of Caste and Devotion: A Casteless Framework for (Some) Forms of Hindu Devotionalism

The caste system has caused widespread oppression within Hinduism. In this paper, I analyze the B... more The caste system has caused widespread oppression within Hinduism. In this paper, I analyze the Bhagavad Gītā (c. 500 BCE-200 CE) and the Bhāgavata Purāṇa (c. 9th century CE), two highly influential Hindu sacred texts, to understand how they conceptualize the relationship between caste and devotion (bhakti). I argue that there is a societal framework that does not maintain the caste system but which is consistent with these texts' soteriological vision and can be implemented in lieu of such a system. This framework demonstrates that for certain forms of Hindu religiosity, caste is not essential to uphold from a scriptural perspective. Given this framework, the caste system can be challenged and interrogated to a significant extent and alternative societal frameworks can be proposed. I also consider and respond to objections to the framework I put forth.

Research paper thumbnail of Is a Guru as Good as God? A Vedāntic Perspective

Journal of Dharma Studies, 2022

Within Hindu religious contexts, a guru plays a crucial soteriological role, and is sometimes vie... more Within Hindu religious contexts, a guru plays a crucial soteriological role, and is sometimes viewed as being as good as God. Questions of a guru's sphere of epistemic authority thus have far-reaching socioreligious implications. In this paper, I highlight one such implication within the Caitanya Vaiṣṇava tradition. I then analyze various Caitanya Vaiṣṇava texts in order to precisely define the parameters of a guru's epistemic authority within this tradition. I suggest that the statements made by gurus within this tradition are of a bipartite nature and describe how an understanding of this bipartite nature can lead to social progress within the tradition. In particular, I highlight how the teachings of the Caitanya Vaiṣṇava tradition can be made consistent with contemporary socially progressive values. I also consider some objections and respond to these.

Research paper thumbnail of The alchemy of suffering in the laboratory of the world: Vedāntic Hindu engagements with the affliction of animals

Religious Studies, 2022

Traditionally, the problem of evil, in its various formulations, has been one of the strongest ob... more Traditionally, the problem of evil, in its various formulations, has been one of the strongest objections against perfect being theism. In the voluminous literature on this problem, the motif of evil has usually been discussed with respect to human flourishing. In recent decades more focused attention has been paid to animal suffering and the philosophical problems that such suffering poses for perfect being theists. However, this growing body of literature, in Anglo-American philosophical milieus, is largely aimed at sketching a specifically Christian or Christianity-inflected theodicy that would reconcile animal suffering with the existence of an omni-God. In contrast, there are few, if any, systematic attempts to put forth a Hindu theodicy that aims to offer morally justifiable reasons that God has for allowing animal suffering. In this article, we address this scholarly lacuna by illustrating how a Hindu perfect being theist might respond to the problem of animal suffering.

Research paper thumbnail of Bhāgavata Purā a and the Problem of Evil

The problem of evil is of significant concern to theologians and to philosophers of religion. Des... more The problem of evil is of significant concern to theologians and to philosophers of religion. Despite the extensive discussion that this problem has received in various Anglo-American philosophical circles, relatively little attention has been paid to the theodical insights specifically of the Bhāgavatapurāṇa (c. 9 th-10 th century CE). In this article, I seek to address this lacuna by highlighting certain theological insights within the Bhāgavatapurāṇa that offer explanations for the existence of suffering. I also draw upon these insights in order to formulate a response to the evidential problem of evil. Although I do not seek to construct a comprehensive theodicy with these textual materials, I do highlight how the Bhāgavatapurāṇa can address certain dimensions of the evidential problem for evil, and note some pathways for further inquiry into the theodical insights of the Bhāgavatapurāṇa.

Research paper thumbnail of Are there de jure objections to Mādhvic belief

Religious Studies, 2021

Recently, Erik Baldwin and Tyler McNabb have brought Madhva's epistemological framework into acti... more Recently, Erik Baldwin and Tyler McNabb have brought Madhva's epistemological framework into active dialogue with Alvin Plantinga's religious epistemology and have argued that individuals within Madhva's tradition cannot make full use of Plantinga's epistemology, according to which, Christian belief resists de jure objections and can also have warrant. While I do not contest this specific claim, I demonstrate that an analysis of Madhva's epistemological framework reveals that this framework has its own resources through which it can resist de jure objections. I address various objections to the rationality of Mādhvic belief and conclude that there are no de jure objections to Mādhvic belief that are independent of de facto objections.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring and Applying a Socially Progressive Hermeneutical Lens in Hindu Thought

Religions, 2021

Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpreting texts. In this paper, I describe and e... more Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpreting texts. In this paper, I describe and explore the implications of a hermeneutical lens that was utilized by the Caitanya Vaiṣṇava theologian A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda (1896–1977 CE). My aims in doing so are to (1) contribute toward inter-religious reform within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which Prabhupāda founded in 1966, and to (2) further develop Hindu conceptual resources that can inspire societal change. I also apply Prabhupāda’s hermeneutical lens to one narrative within the Bhāgavatapurāṇa (c. 9th to 10th century CE) and show how reading this narrative through this lens can de-emphasize certain patriarchal attitudes that are found within Hindu universes. Moreover, I demonstrate this lens’ applicability within ISKCON. I conclude by showing how this lens can also be applied in some other Hindu contexts.

Research paper thumbnail of A Cross-Cultural Perspective on God's Personhood

Religious Studies

Debates about God's personhood, or lack thereof, are central to philosophy of religion. This pape... more Debates about God's personhood, or lack thereof, are central to philosophy of religion. This paper aims to advance these debates by presenting the "greatness of personhood argument" for God's personhood and a dilemma for those who deny God's personhood. I also consider various objections to this argument and this dilemma and argue that they fail. Notably, my reasoning in defence of personal theism is cross-cultural insofar as personal theists across various religious traditions can use it. Thus, this paper defends personal theism in a manner that can bring Western and non-Western theists into closer dialogue regarding the topic of God's personhood.

Research paper thumbnail of To Infinity and Beyond: Three Interpretations of Beginningless Karman and Their Implications

Research paper thumbnail of Caste and Devotion: A Casteless Framework for (Some) Forms of Hindu Devotionalism

The caste system has caused widespread oppression within Hinduism. In this paper, I analyze the B... more The caste system has caused widespread oppression within Hinduism. In this paper, I analyze the Bhagavad Gītā (c. 500 BCE-200 CE) and the Bhāgavata Purāṇa (c. 9th century CE), two highly influential Hindu sacred texts, to understand how they conceptualize the relationship between caste and devotion (bhakti). I argue that there is a societal framework that does not maintain the caste system but which is consistent with these texts' soteriological vision and can be implemented in lieu of such a system. This framework demonstrates that for certain forms of Hindu religiosity, caste is not essential to uphold from a scriptural perspective. Given this framework, the caste system can be challenged and interrogated to a significant extent and alternative societal frameworks can be proposed. I also consider and respond to objections to the framework I put forth.

Research paper thumbnail of Is a Guru as Good as God? A Vedāntic Perspective

Journal of Dharma Studies, 2022

Within Hindu religious contexts, a guru plays a crucial soteriological role, and is sometimes vie... more Within Hindu religious contexts, a guru plays a crucial soteriological role, and is sometimes viewed as being as good as God. Questions of a guru's sphere of epistemic authority thus have far-reaching socioreligious implications. In this paper, I highlight one such implication within the Caitanya Vaiṣṇava tradition. I then analyze various Caitanya Vaiṣṇava texts in order to precisely define the parameters of a guru's epistemic authority within this tradition. I suggest that the statements made by gurus within this tradition are of a bipartite nature and describe how an understanding of this bipartite nature can lead to social progress within the tradition. In particular, I highlight how the teachings of the Caitanya Vaiṣṇava tradition can be made consistent with contemporary socially progressive values. I also consider some objections and respond to these.

Research paper thumbnail of The alchemy of suffering in the laboratory of the world: Vedāntic Hindu engagements with the affliction of animals

Religious Studies, 2022

Traditionally, the problem of evil, in its various formulations, has been one of the strongest ob... more Traditionally, the problem of evil, in its various formulations, has been one of the strongest objections against perfect being theism. In the voluminous literature on this problem, the motif of evil has usually been discussed with respect to human flourishing. In recent decades more focused attention has been paid to animal suffering and the philosophical problems that such suffering poses for perfect being theists. However, this growing body of literature, in Anglo-American philosophical milieus, is largely aimed at sketching a specifically Christian or Christianity-inflected theodicy that would reconcile animal suffering with the existence of an omni-God. In contrast, there are few, if any, systematic attempts to put forth a Hindu theodicy that aims to offer morally justifiable reasons that God has for allowing animal suffering. In this article, we address this scholarly lacuna by illustrating how a Hindu perfect being theist might respond to the problem of animal suffering.

Research paper thumbnail of Bhāgavata Purā a and the Problem of Evil

The problem of evil is of significant concern to theologians and to philosophers of religion. Des... more The problem of evil is of significant concern to theologians and to philosophers of religion. Despite the extensive discussion that this problem has received in various Anglo-American philosophical circles, relatively little attention has been paid to the theodical insights specifically of the Bhāgavatapurāṇa (c. 9 th-10 th century CE). In this article, I seek to address this lacuna by highlighting certain theological insights within the Bhāgavatapurāṇa that offer explanations for the existence of suffering. I also draw upon these insights in order to formulate a response to the evidential problem of evil. Although I do not seek to construct a comprehensive theodicy with these textual materials, I do highlight how the Bhāgavatapurāṇa can address certain dimensions of the evidential problem for evil, and note some pathways for further inquiry into the theodical insights of the Bhāgavatapurāṇa.

Research paper thumbnail of Are there de jure objections to Mādhvic belief

Religious Studies, 2021

Recently, Erik Baldwin and Tyler McNabb have brought Madhva's epistemological framework into acti... more Recently, Erik Baldwin and Tyler McNabb have brought Madhva's epistemological framework into active dialogue with Alvin Plantinga's religious epistemology and have argued that individuals within Madhva's tradition cannot make full use of Plantinga's epistemology, according to which, Christian belief resists de jure objections and can also have warrant. While I do not contest this specific claim, I demonstrate that an analysis of Madhva's epistemological framework reveals that this framework has its own resources through which it can resist de jure objections. I address various objections to the rationality of Mādhvic belief and conclude that there are no de jure objections to Mādhvic belief that are independent of de facto objections.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring and Applying a Socially Progressive Hermeneutical Lens in Hindu Thought

Religions, 2021

Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpreting texts. In this paper, I describe and e... more Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpreting texts. In this paper, I describe and explore the implications of a hermeneutical lens that was utilized by the Caitanya Vaiṣṇava theologian A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda (1896–1977 CE). My aims in doing so are to (1) contribute toward inter-religious reform within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which Prabhupāda founded in 1966, and to (2) further develop Hindu conceptual resources that can inspire societal change. I also apply Prabhupāda’s hermeneutical lens to one narrative within the Bhāgavatapurāṇa (c. 9th to 10th century CE) and show how reading this narrative through this lens can de-emphasize certain patriarchal attitudes that are found within Hindu universes. Moreover, I demonstrate this lens’ applicability within ISKCON. I conclude by showing how this lens can also be applied in some other Hindu contexts.