Generative knowledge : a pragmatist logic of inquiry articulated by the classical Indian philosopher Bhaáč­áč­a KumÄrila
This thesis investigates the svataáž"-prÄmÄáčyam doctrine of the 7th century Indian philosopher Bhaáč­áč­a KumÄrila, based on an analysis of this doctrine as presented in the Báčhaáč­-áč­Ä"kÄ and in the Ćloka-vÄrttika. The original contribution of this thesis consists in a novel interpretation of KumÄrila's claim which diverges from the interpretations of the classical Indian commentators as well as those of recent scholarship by John Taber and Dan Arnold. Rather than a phenomenological or Reidean epistemology, this research argues that KumÄrila provides a normative epistemology. In contrast to the interpretation of Dan Arnold, which roots justification and truth in the phenomenological fact of mere awareness which is undefeated, it is argued here that KumÄrila articulates a normative process which mandates the believer to strengthen her beliefs through a purposive and goal-oriented process. The thesis begins with a consideration of the notion of svabhÄva, to which KumÄrila appeals, making a dispositional essentialist reading of this term, as a real causal power or disposition which is the essence of an entity conditional on its existence. It is then argued that KumÄrila's claim concerns the
Sahota, Jaspal Peter
B0722.I53 India
Generative knowledge : a pragmatist logic of inquiry articulated by the classical Indian philosopher Bhaáč­áč­a KumÄrila. This thesis investigates the svataáž"-prÄmÄáčyam doctrine of the 7th century Indian philosopher Bhaáč­áč­a KumÄrila, based on an analysis of this doctrine as presented in the Báčhaáč­-áč­Ä"kÄ and in the Ćloka-vÄrttika. The original contribution of this thesis consists in a novel interpretation of KumÄrila's claim which diverges from the interpretations of the classical Indian commentators as well as those of recent scholarship by John Taber and Dan Arnold. Rather than a phenomenological or Reidean epistemology, this research argues that KumÄrila provides a normative epistemology. In contrast to the interpretation of Dan Arnold, which roots justification and truth in the phenomenological fact of mere awareness which is undefeated, it is argued here that KumÄrila articulates a normative process which mandates the believer to strengthen her beliefs through a purposive and goal-oriented process. The thesis begins with a consideration of the notion of svabhÄva, to which KumÄrila appeals, making a dispositional essentialist reading of this term, as a real causal power or disposition which is the essence of an entity conditional on its existence. It is then argued that KumÄrila's claim concerns the
generative knowledge pragmatist logic inquiry articulate classical indian philosopher investigate doctrine indian philosopher base analysis doctrine present original consist novel_interpretation claim diverges interpretation classical indian commentator well recent_scholarship john rather phenomenological epistemology argue provide normative epistemology contrast interpretation roots justification truth phenomenological fact mere awareness argue articulates normative process mandate believer strengthen belief purposive goal oriented process begin consideration notion appeal make dispositional essentialist read term real causal_power disposition essence entity conditional existence argue claim concern