Sambodhi 2013 Vol 36

SR No.: 520786
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2013
Total Pages: 328
Language: English, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Sambodhi, & India
File Size: 7 MB

Page 40

Issues of Philosophy of Language in Jaina Philosophy
Shruti Rai & Surjya Kamal Borah
Philosophy of language has come into light in the 19th century western philosophy, while in India, it has been a subject of enquiry since the commencement of the Indian knowledge tradition which starts from the time of Ṛgveda. Jaina philosophy, one of the most important philosophical schools of Indian tradition, recognizes the significance of language. Generally, there are two types of debate regarding the nature of language i.e. language is either constructive or representative. Jaina philosophy accepts the representative theory of language. Accordingly, language is the mode to represent the world since it is the medium of communication. Sabda is the form of atom (pudgala) here, an outcome of the physical endeavour. This nature of the sabda is described by the theory of saptabhanginaya and syādvāḍa. This article is an attempt to examine the representative nature of language according to the Jaina philosophy.
ISSUES OF PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
Language is one of the central aspect in Indian philosophical schools. The schools examine language from different point of view according to their fundamental principles. Jaina philosophers are also aware to the problem of language that's why the discussions of language have been occurred time to time. The noticeable evidence is the first samgha-bheda, where Mahāvīra and his son-in-law fall in dispute over the nature of present continuous. The significance of relation of human with language in the context of communication is fully elaborated in the Tattvärthasūtra of Umāsvāti. The text elaborates the role of language for social human being with the help of parasparopaghraho jīvānām sūtra1.