Universität Wien
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142540 SE Verbal communication as a means of knowledge in classical Nyaya (2020S)

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

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

max. 36 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The meetings on May 6 and 13 will have to be cancelled. On May 6, interested students may participate in the international workshop on the critical edition of Nyayabhashya 3.

  • Wednesday 11.03. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 18.03. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 25.03. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 01.04. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 22.04. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 29.04. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 06.05. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 13.05. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 20.05. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 27.05. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 03.06. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 10.06. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 17.06. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34
  • Wednesday 24.06. 11:45 - 13:15 Seminarraum 5 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-34

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Course content: Among the four means of knowledge (pramāṇa) enumerated in Nyāyasūtra (NS) 1.1.3 and characterized in sūtra-s 1.1.4–8, verbal communication (śabda), enumerated last in sūtra 1.1.3, is allotted by far the highest number of sūtra-s in the examination of means of knowledge in the second adhyāya of the Nyāyasūtra, where it is discussed under several perspectives. Even though the philosophical tradition of Nyāya is often designated as “logic” and even equated with it, this points at a very significant place of this at least partly “orthodox–conservative” means of knowledge within the tradition. In this seminar, starting from sūtra-s 1.1.7–8 we will skip in our readings to NS 2.1.47ff., where an opponent questions that verbal communication is a means of knowledge different from inference. Upon its establishment as such, the validity of the Veda, as one of the two kinds of verbal communication, is being discussed with philosophical opponents in NS 2.1.55–66. Later on, in the second āhnika of this adhyāya, no less than a further 55 sūtra-s are devoted to the discussion of sound, inarticulate as well as articulate. However, we will confine our own exploration and discussion of verbal communication in this seminar to the various – and long-lasting – issues addressed in NS 2.1.47–66, on the basis of our reading of the earliest preserved classical commentary on the Nyāyasūtra by Vātsyāyana, the Nyāyabhāṣya (first half of the 5th c.), with occasional reference to Uddyotakara’s Nyāyavārttika on both the Nyāyasūtra and, predominantly, the Nyāyabhāṣya (6th c.).
Participants are expected to prepare the assigned texts comprehensively and in depth, and to translate and interpret them independently, based on their exploration of the thematic context by means of the relevant secondary literature. Furthermore, participants are encouraged to independently consult and present additional primary materials in class and to participate in the critical discussion of selected secondary sources in the sessions.

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment: 50% of the evaluation is based on the oral and written performance during the course, consisting of the thorough preparation of the underlying texts, the presentation of own translations in class, and the active participation in the analysis, interpretation and problematization of the read materials (20%), as well as of a short written assigment (mini-essay or translation, book, chapter or essay review, etc.) (15%). A further 15% of the assessment basis is covered by an oral presentation. The seminar paper makes up its remaining 50%. The topic of the seminar paper (about 15 pages) related to the course topic has to be chosen in consultation with the course instructor.
Regular attendance is obligatory and essential. If more than three sessions are missed, a negative evaluation will be made.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Prerequisites: This is a course designed for second-semester students of the MA program “Languages and Cultures of South Asia” (MASK). The recommended prerequisite for participation is the completion of module MASK 1.

Examination topics

Reading list

Textual basis:
• Anantalal Thakur (ed.), Gautamīyanyāyadarśana with Bhāṣya of Vātsyāyana. Nyāya-catur¬granthikā 1. New Delhi 1997.
• Anantalal Thakur (ed.), Nyāyabhāṣyavārttika of Bhāradvāja Uddyotakara. Nyāya¬catur-granthikā 2. New Delhi 1997.
Selected literature:
• Michel Angot, Le Nyāyasūtra de Gautama Akṣapāda. Le Nyāyabhāṣya d’Akṣapāda (!) Pakṣilasvāmin. L’art de conduire la pensée en Inde ancienne. Paris 2009.
• George Chemparathy, L’autorité du Veda selon les Nyāya–Vaiśeṣikas. Louvain-la-Neuve 1983.
• N.S. Junankar, Gautama: The Nyāya Philosophy. Delhi 1978.
• Walter Ruben, Die Nyāyasūtra’s. Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes 18,2. Leipzig 1928.
• Sukharanjan Saha, Perspectives in Nyaya Logic and Epistemology. Calcutta 1987.
Further literature will be pointed out while the seminar is in progress.

Association in the course directory

MASK5, Dissertantenseminar

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:20