Artha = meaning : Testimony and the theory of meaning in indian philosophical analysis

This book examines the theories of meaning or artha . It discusses approaches in different schools of thought-Grammarian, Mimamsika, Buddhist, early Naiyayika, Navya Naiyayika, and Vedantin-highlighting the significant relationship between 'word' and 'meaning/knowing/ knowledge'. The author probes and explores the tension between tenets of the Navya-Nyaya school and elucidates on the important changes brought about by the introduction of modes of thought in the theory of meaning. An important contribution to the philosophy of language, this volume demonstrates that classical Indian theory of language can inform and be informed by contemporary philosophy. This book will interest students and scholars of philosophy, history, sociology, anthropology, and linguistics. "In this second volume in the Foundations of Philosophy in India series (the first was Cit: Consciousness by Bina Gupta), Jonardon Ganeri examines theories of meaning or artha. He discusses approaches in different schools of thought. He focuses primarily on the Navya-Nyaya school, especially its two tenets: that the central function of a word is to stand for an object, and that a language is essentially a device for the reception of knowledge. This approach is in marked contrast to the position generally exhibited in western literature until recent times. Ganeri probes further the tension between these two tenets. He also elucidates on the important changes brought about by the introduction of modes of thought in the theory of meaning."--Publisher description This book examines the theories of meaning or artha in different schools of philosophical thought highlighting the significant relationship between 'word' and 'meaning'. It demonstrates that classical Indian theory of language can inform and be informed by contemporary philosophy.