142215 UE What is Meaning? An Introduction to Indian Semantics (2024W)

Course Overview
This course offers an in-depth exploration of Indian semantics, focusing on
the fundamental questions and theories that have shaped the understanding
of meaning in Indian philosophy and linguistics. Key topics include the nature
of meaning, the semantics of words and sentences, the theory of sphoṭa,
and the apoha theory. Additionally, we will examine the conditions necessary
for comprehending sentence meaning, as well as metaphorical and poetic
meanings. While the course will primarily rely on secondary literature for
theoretical frameworks and historical context, it will also include the reading
and analysis of original Sanskrit texts, providing students with a direct
engagement with primary sources.
Course Objectives
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental questions and
theories related to the nature of meaning in Indian philosophy and
linguistics, including the semantics of words and sentences.
• Study and critically evaluate major semantic theories such as the theory
of sphoṭa and the apoha theory, understanding their historical development
and philosophical implications.
• Examine the conditions for understanding sentence meaning, and explore
the intricacies of metaphorical and poetic meanings within the
context of Indian literary and philosophical traditions.
Meeting Schedule
1. What is the Nature of Meaning?
Topics: Introduction to the concept of meaning, different philosophical perspectives
on meaning among South Asian thinkers.
2. Denotation and the Primary Meaning of a Word
Topics: Theories of primary denotation. Nature of meaning: conventional
or innate. Contextual factors.
3. The Sphoṭa Theory
Topics: Definition and significance of the Brahmanical theory of sphoṭa and
its historical development. Criticism of the notion.
4. The Apoha Theory
Topics: Explanation of the Buddhist apoha theory, comparison with other
semantic theories. Relationship with ontological views.
5. The Sentence: definitions
Topics: Different understandings of sentence meaning. The definition of
Mīmāṃsā and Vyākaraṇa (Grammar). Conditions for knowing the meaning
of a sentence.
6. How Sentence Meaning is apprehended
Topics: Theories about the cognition of sentence-meaning. The views of
Mīmāṃsā, Nyāya, and Bhartṛhari. Contextual vs. compositional theories.
7. Metaphorical Meaning
Topics: The nature of metaphorical meaning, the conditions for a metaphor.
8. Suggestive Meaning
Topics: Definition and examples of suggestive meaning, importance in literary
texts. The theory of dhvani.