Śrīharṣa Miśra’s Critique of Trustworthiness

Authors

  • Sudipta Munsi independent scholar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13135/1825-263X/2251

Keywords:

Advaita Vedānta, skepticism, epistemology of testimony, epistemology, Nyāya

Abstract

This paper aims at discussing the critique of the classical (prācīna) Nyāya theory of trustworthiness (āptatva) as found in the Śabdalakṣaṇakhaṇḍana section of the first chapter from the Khaṇḍanakhaṇḍakhādya of the great 12th century Advaita Vedāntin, Śrīharṣa Miśra. Śrīharṣa submitted the Nyāya definition to a full-fledged critique ranging from smaller details to main issues, thus showing that 1. āptatva cannot be a reliable criterion for deciding the validity of a  cognition, 2. even if it were so, no such speaker could ever be found. The author further extends Śrīharṣa’s criticism by noting also that 3. even if such a speaker could be found, the information she delivered could consciously or inadvertently be distorted by the listener. He then concludes by noting further possible applications of Śrīharṣa’s skeptical attacks to testimony as an instrument of knowledge.

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Author Biography

Sudipta Munsi, independent scholar

Sudipta Munsi, M.A. (History), Dip. in Sanskrit, is an independent scholar of History, Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy, based in Calcutta, with abiding interests in ancient Indian philosophies of language, testimony, history, psychology, etc. The topics of his publications are as varied as Cārvāka philosophy, Advaita Vedānta, education in Ancient India, etc.

References

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Published

2018-11-19

Issue

No. 21 (2017)

Section

There in only ‘Philosophy:’ The case of Testimony

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