This volume is a study of the complex link between world views held by Indian philosophers and the philosophical theories they put forth. It takes up some basic questions like the socio-cultural, religious and linguistic background of world views and philosophical concepts in ancient India and how these influenced philosophical theories that were developed in South Asia in ancient and medieval times. It examines questions like whether it is possible to make a distinction between a philosophical theory and a world view in the Indian cultural context. Scholars from abroad here explore in detail the major philosophical schools of India in the past including Buddhism, Jainism, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Vendanta, Sankhya, Yoga and materialist and legal schools of thought. They analyse the Indian approach to the concept of reason and the concept of self vis-à-vis impersonalism.