The philosophy of language in GadÄdhara's ĆaktivÄda
This thesis is a study of the theory of meaning developed by the seventeenth century Indian NaiyÄyika philosopher GadÄdhara Bhaáč­áč­ÄcÄrya. It has four chapters and an appendix. In chapter 1, I highlight some of the problems about meaning and reference thematised by the Indian philosophical tradition during its 'classical' period (third century B.C.E. to seventh century C.E). The work of the earliest grammarians proved very influential We tend to associate the name of the grammarian Vyddi with the origins of the study of singular reference in classical India, and I look at his theory, the problems it faced, and the innovations of early NyÄya, MimÄáčsÄ and grammarian authors. In the second chapter, I discuss GadÄdhara's analysis of the semantics of nominal stems, his construction of a 'two-component' theory of meaning, and his criticisms of the work of earlier Navya-NaiyÄyikas, especially VardhamÄna and RaghunÄtha. The main theme of this debate concerns the failure of a realist or referential theory of meaning to serve as a complete theory of meaning, one which recognises both the intensional and the context-invariant elements in the meaning of nominal expressions. The third chapter deals with
Ganeri, Jonardon
Language and languages ; Philosophy ; Meaning (Philosophy)
The philosophy of language in GadÄdhara's ĆaktivÄda. This thesis is a study of the theory of meaning developed by the seventeenth century Indian NaiyÄyika philosopher GadÄdhara Bhaáč­áč­ÄcÄrya. It has four chapters and an appendix. In chapter 1, I highlight some of the problems about meaning and reference thematised by the Indian philosophical tradition during its 'classical' period (third century B.C.E. to seventh century C.E). The work of the earliest grammarians proved very influential We tend to associate the name of the grammarian Vyddi with the origins of the study of singular reference in classical India, and I look at his theory, the problems it faced, and the innovations of early NyÄya, MimÄáčsÄ and grammarian authors. In the second chapter, I discuss GadÄdhara's analysis of the semantics of nominal stems, his construction of a 'two-component' theory of meaning, and his criticisms of the work of earlier Navya-NaiyÄyikas, especially VardhamÄna and RaghunÄtha. The main theme of this debate concerns the failure of a realist or referential theory of meaning to serve as a complete theory of meaning, one which recognises both the intensional and the context-invariant elements in the meaning of nominal expressions. The third chapter deals with
philosophy_language study theory_meaning develop indian philosopher appendix highlight_problem mean reference indian philosophical_tradition classical_period bce seventh_century work early grammarian prove influential tend associate name grammarian origin study singular reference classical india look theory problem_face innovation early grammarian author second discuss analysis semantics nominal stem construction component theory_meaning criticisms work earlier especially main_theme debate_concern failure realist referential theory mean serve complete theory_meaning recognise intensional context invariant element mean nominal expression third deal