A Constructive Survey of Upanishadic Philosophy c4.s2.11

c4.s2.11

(vii) As contrasted with the dialectic method, we have what we may call the synthetic method of philosophy. Here an attempt is made not to destroy, but to fulfil, as may be seen by the synthesis of thought effected by Aśvapati Kaikeya out of the doctrines of the six cosmological philosophers in the Chhāndogya, or by Pippalāda out of the six psycho-metaphysical questions propounded to him by the six seers in the Praśnopanishad, or finally by Yājñavalkya out of the six metaphysical points of view suggested to him by King Janaka in Bṛihadāraṇyaka IV. There is neither a *tu quoque* argument here, nor any indifferent and precise cutting of the knot, but a sympathetic inclusion of the points of view suggested by others in a higher synthesis.