Introduction

Abstract

This book makes an attempt at a systematic examination of a rather important problem in Indian philosophy—in particular, a thesis within Advaita Vedānta’s theory of knowledge (but not restricted to Advaita, since this is a thesis that also concerns Nyāya, (Pūrva)) Mīmāṃsā), Sāṃkhya and other schools). The thesis in question generally goes under the rubric of śabdapramāṇa [or ‘śabda-pramāṇa’]: the derivation of knowledge from linguistic utterances or words. This work borders between epistemology and philosophy of language, but as such is not an exercise in linguistics, though its relevance in the context of the present discussion cannot be underrated. The problem itself is worthy of philosophical investigation as it has implications for theories of knowledge, language and ‘revelation’— implications which should be of considerable interest to scholars and students of philosophy and religion, and of Indian thought and ‘spirituality’ at large.