ABSTRACT
The Cornerstone of the Orthodox View, so beautifully expressed in the Upanishads, is that the object of life is the attainment of moksha. But the Upanishads in no way attempt a carefully reasoned critique of the nature of reality, and the nature of moksha. Clearly that was not the point of the Upanishads; for the most part they are poetic in style, emphasizing the importance of mystical intuition. Knowledge of Brahman is presented as intuitive knowledge that completely transcends ordinary knowledge. Put simply, the composers of the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita, had no interest in presenting critical philosophy. Their message was inspirational, intended for the ears of those who were already committed to the basic beliefs of the Upanishadic tradition.
