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142213 UE The general definition of means of knowledge (pramana) according to Jayanta Bhatta's Nyayamanjari (2023W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

There will be no class on October 2nd, and the classes will start on October 9th. In this first session, I will introduce the text and the reading materials, and we will begin actually reading the text from October 16th onwards. As we'll need to make up for the class on October 2nd, I propose that on October 16th, 23rd, and 30th, as well as on November 6th, 13th and 20th, we start at 14:15.

  • Monday 09.10. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 16.10. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 23.10. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 30.10. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 06.11. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 13.11. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 20.11. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 27.11. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 04.12. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 11.12. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 08.01. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 15.01. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 22.01. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Monday 29.01. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course is aimed at intermediate and advanced students of Sanskrit and pursues three general goals. The first goal is directed towards developing linguistic skills with a particular focus on reading śāstric (i.e., systematic or “scientific”) literature in Sanskrit. The students will deepen their understanding of the stylistic peculiarities of the genre and expand their knowledge of the technical language and terminology commonly employed in Sanskrit śāstric writings. The second goal is directed towards comprehending the actual philosophical content of the studied text. Jointly, we will deliberate about the specific arguments, put them in a broader context and analyze their general flow. Finally, the course will introduce a further dimension to studying ancient Sanskrit texts: the philological or text-historical. The participants will examine copious variant readings preserved in the manuscripts of the section at hand, guided through the general logic underlying individual editorial decisions and actively contribute to preparing a preliminary critical edition of the studied text.

In particular, we will dedicate ourselves to studying an excerpt from the Nyāyamañjarī, a vastly influential compendium of Nyāya philosophy composed by Kashmirian philosopher (and poet) Bhaṭṭa Jayanta in the ninth century CE. More specifically, we will look at an early section of the work, in which the author puts forward and scrutinizes his novel (and ardently disputed) definition of the term pramāṇa, “means” or “source of knowledge,” an essential concept in Classical Indian philosophy. In doing so, Bhaṭṭa Jayanta employs seminal concepts developed by the linguistic school of thought in ancient India (vyākaraṇa) and, what is more, thoroughly examines alternative proposals and objections advanced by influential Buddhist theorists and the proponents of the Mīmāṃsā school.

Assessment and permitted materials

Requirements for obtaining a positive certificate are as follows:
1. Attendance: Three unexcused absences are tolerated if the student completes a compensatory assignment.
2. Preparation at home and active participation in the class: The course involves a group reading of a Sanskrit text. Participants are expected to prepare a translation of the Sanskrit text at home and present it in each class.
3 Written assignments: Students will be asked to submit several short translations during the semester and a somewhat longer translation or a term paper at the end of the course.
The grade is determined by 70% oral participation and 30% written performance.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The minimum requirement for attending the course is a basic knowledge of Sanskrit. Intermediate or advanced knowledge of the language is advantageous.

Examination topics

n/a

Reading list

Your registration for the course allows you to access the Moodle learning platform. There, you will find reading materials and other resources.

In preparation for the course, I strongly recommend reading the following paper. However, I also recommend remaining alert and critical concerning the accuracy of translations and interpretations of quoted passages.
- Cox, W. (2022). Bhaṭṭa Jayanta on Epistemic Complexity. Journal of Indian Philosophy, 50(3), 387-425. doi:10.1007/s10781-022-09506-4

Association in the course directory

MASK2 UE, MATB3b

Last modified: Fr 29.09.2023 05:07