A group blog of scholars exploring Indian philosophy
According to the Prābhākara Mīmāṃsā approach to language, the sentence meaning is “something to be done” (kārya). In other words, unlike for Nyāya authors, sentences do not convey the existence of something, but rather that something should be done. Sentences Continue reading The Deontic Nature of Language
A new special issue of the Journal of Indian Philosophy is dedicated to “Locating Philosophy in the Mahābhārata.” James L. Fitzgerald introduces the articles in a paper available online without institutional access. We’ve talked on the blog before (examples here Continue reading Special issue of the Journal of Indian Philosophy: Mahābhārata
For a lucky coincidence, two long term projects of mine reached completion almost at the same time. You can therefore read on the 2017 issue of the Journal of World Philosophies the (Open Access) papers on philosophy of language which Continue reading Open access papers on philosophy of language etc.
I am an amateur at Indian aesthetic theory. I have not studied it much; I can read its Sanskrit source texts, but with some difficulty given how much they allude to literary and dramatic works I don’t know. As with Continue reading The Indian theory of taste
Why is the topic of omniscience relevant in Indian philosophy? Because of at least two concurring reasons. On the one hand, for schools like Buddhism and Jainism, it is a question of religious authority. Ascribing omniscience to the founders of Continue reading Again on omniscience: Why talking about it, God’s omniscience and some reasons to refute it
I recently received word that the University of California, Irvine will be hiring for a position in Jain Studies. Application materials are due September 22, 2017 for full consideration. Please see the details below. If you have questions about the Continue reading Position in Jain Studies
A student contacted me with the following query: I recently finished an MA in philosophy at the University of New mexico, USA. […] I’m writing you because it has been difficult to find a place where I can pursue the Continue reading Student’s query about PhD programs
Dear All, this is a draft of a course summary. I will be teaching it with a Western philosopher in spring 2018. We want to focus on Indian and Western philosophy of mind and some basics in epistemology. We’ll also Continue reading Cosmopolitan Philosophy: Western and Indian Philosophy in 20th century Oxford University
I’m continuing to examine Justin Whitaker‘s interpretation of Pali Buddhist ethics as Kantian moral law. I argued last time that the concept of dhamma does not serve in these texts as a universal, trans-human moral law. Here I want to Continue reading Karmic punishment is not a good thing
“Omniscience” (sārvajñya) assumes many different meanings in the various Indian philosophies. The understanding possibly most common in European and Anglo-American thought, which sees omniscience as including the knowledge of any possible thing in the past, present and future, is neither Continue reading First thoughts on omniscience in Indian thought