The Word Is the World: Nondualism in Indian Philosophy of Language

The meanings in which the word "word" can be taken, the interpretations that the relevant meanings would necessitate of the "word-equals-world" thesis, and the extent to which Bhartṛhari can be said to be aware of or receptive to these interpretations are considered. The observat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Philosophy east & west 2001-10, Vol.51 (4), p.452-473
Main Author: Aklujkar, Ashok
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beliefs, opinions and attitudes
Cognition
Cognitive linguistics
Criticism and interpretation
Eastern philosophy
Indian philosophy
Language
Language and languages
Linguistics
Ontology
Philosophical object
Philosophy, Indian
Sanskrit language
Thought
Words
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Summary:The meanings in which the word "word" can be taken, the interpretations that the relevant meanings would necessitate of the "word-equals-world" thesis, and the extent to which Bhartṛhari can be said to be aware of or receptive to these interpretations are considered. The observation that more than one interpretation would have been acceptable to Bhartṛhari naturally leads to a discussion of his notion of truth, his perspectivism, and his understanding of the nature of philosophizing as an activity in which language plays a basic role and epistemology and ontology are interdependent. The difference of Bhartṛhari's thinking from that of the Vedāntins of Śaṅkara's tradition is identified, and a brief comment on the history of vivarta and pariṇāma as philosophical terms is offered.
ISSN:0031-8221
1529-1898
1529-1898
DOI:10.1353/pew.2001.0050