Some thoughts on the terms śabda and “testimony”

In the context of epistemology and pramāṇa theory, we often translate śabda as “testimony.” It is reasonable to do so, since using “word” in sentences like “Word is a genuine source of knowledge” is unpleasant to the ear and confusing Continue reading Some thoughts on the terms śabda and “testimony”

Bhoja’s comments on Adhyeyam–a Guest Post by Satyanarayana Hegde

In the second pariccheda of Sarasvatīkaṇṭhābharaṇālaṅkāra (1025 CE) titled śabdālaṅkāravivecanam, Bhoja defines at 2.138 the śabdālaṅkāra Adhyeyam (Śarmā and Paṇśīkar 1934:304): yadvidhau ca niṣedhe ca vyutpattereva kāraṇam tadadhyeyam vidustena lokayātrā pravartate Bhoja at Sarasvatīkaṇṭhābharaṇālaṅkāra 2.139 divides Adhyeyam into six subtypes-kāvya, Continue reading Bhoja’s comments on Adhyeyam–a Guest Post by Satyanarayana Hegde

New issue of Philosophy East and West (67.1, January 2017)

This issue is pretty light on Indian philosophy, as its theme is “Joseph Chan’s Confucian Perfectionism.” But it does feature Chris Framarin’s article “Renunciation, Pleasure, and the Good Life in the Saṃnyāsa Upaniṣads” and David Nowakowski’s review of Rethinking the Buddha: Continue reading New issue of Philosophy East and West (67.1, January 2017)

Interpretation vs. Explication II: choosing between Truth and Objectivity

Thanks to Elisa Freschi and Malcolm Keating for prompting me to post about interpretation and explication. In the previous post, titled “Interpretation vs. Explication I: background (Truth and Objectivity)” I set out the logical distinctions we need in view to Continue reading Interpretation vs. Explication II: choosing between Truth and Objectivity

Interpretation vs. Explication I: background (Truth and Objectivity)

Happy belated Solstice to all! I hope everyone is having a good holiday. Thanks to Elisa Freschi and Malcolm Keating for prompting me to post about interpretation and explication. The distinction between interpretation and explication to my knowledge has not Continue reading Interpretation vs. Explication I: background (Truth and Objectivity)

Buddhism and Phenomenology

Victoria Lysenko has been so nice as to alert me about a recent workshop on Buddhism Phenomenology, to which very interesting authorities on both topics (ranging from Dan Zahavi to “our” Christian Coseru) contributed. They realised an interactive poster through Continue reading Buddhism and Phenomenology

“But is Indian thought really philosophy?”

We can answer the question “What is it?” for a religion or worldview by proceeding either sociologically or doctrinally. […] In philosophy, for example, the question “But is it philosophy?” can be not so much a question about the boundaries Continue reading “But is Indian thought really philosophy?”