Ferrante Marco - Indian Perspectives on Consciousness, Language and Self

This book examines the theory of consciousness developed by the school of Recognition, an Indian philosophical tradition that thrived around the tenth c. CE in Kashmir, and argues that consciousness has a linguistic nature. It situates the doctrines of the tradition within the broader Indian philosophical context and establishes connections with the contemporary analytic debate.

The book focuses on Utpaladeva and Abhinavagupta (tenth c. CE), two Hindu intellectuals belonging to the school of Recognition, Pratyabh in Sanskrit. It argues that these authors promoted ideas that bear a strong resemblance with contemporary higher-order theories of consciousness. In addition, the book explores the relationship between the thinkers of the school of Recognition and the thought of the grammarian and philosopher Bharthari (fifth c. CE). The book bridges a gap that still exists between scholars engaged with Western traditions and Sanskrit specialists focused on textual materials. In doing so, the author uses concepts from contemporary philosophy of mind to illustrate the Indian arguments and an interdisciplinary approach with abundant reference to the original sources.

Offering fresh information to historians of Indian thought, the book will also be of interest to academics working on Non-Western Philosophy, Comparative Philosophy, Indian Philosophy, Religion, Hinduism, Tantric Studies, and South Asian Studies.

Marco Ferrante is a specialist in Indian philosophy, with a special focus on epistemology, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of language. He was Berggruen Fellow in Comparative Philosophy at the University of Oxford, UK.

Series Editor: Gavin Flood

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

The Routledge Hindu Studies Series, in association with the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, intends the publication of constructive Hindu theological, philosophical and ethical projects aimed at bringing Hindu traditions into dialogue with contemporary trends in scholarship and contemporary society. The series invites original, high quality, research level work on religion, culture and society of Hindus living in India and abroad. Proposals for annotated translations of important primary sources and studies in the history of the Hindu religious traditions will also be considered.

Caitanya Vaiavism in Bengal

Social Impact and Historical Implications

Joseph T. OConnell, edited by Rembert Lutjeharms

Vedic Practice, Ritual Studies and Jaiminis Mmsstras

Dharma and the Enjoined Subject

Samuel G. Ngaihte

The Legacy of Vaiavism in Colonial Bengal

Edited by Ferdinando Sardella and Lucian Wong

Salvation in Indian Philosophy

Perfection and Simplicity for Vaieika

Ionut Moise

The Goddess and The Sun in Indian Myth

Power, Preservation and Mirrored Mhtmyas in the Mrkaeya Pura

Raj Balkaran

Indian Perspectives on Consciousness, Language and Self

The School of Recognition on Linguistics and Philosophy of Mind

Marco Ferrante

For more information about this series, please visit: www.routledge.com/asianstudies/series/RHSS

First published 2021

by Routledge

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2021 Marco Ferrante

The right of Marco Ferrante to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

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ISBN: 978-0-367-51794-6 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-003-05853-3 (ebk)

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This book has been researched and written at two different institutions, the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna and Wolfson College, University of Oxford. I am grateful to the Forderung Wissenchafts Funds (FWF) and the Berggruen Foundation for having financially supported me throughout the time I have worked on this book and for allowing me to pursue my research interests in such inspirational environments. In Vienna, my sincere gratitude goes to the three directors of the Institute of Cultural and Intellectual History of Asia (IKGA), with whom I had the privilege to work: the greatly missed Helmut Krasser, Vincent Eltschinger, and Birgit Kellner. They have provided me with intellectual and practical support all through the almost five years I spent at the Institute, without the slightest doubt one of the most constructive and happiest periods of my life. I am particularly grateful to Vincent for allowing me to join the IKGA as a young post-doc researcher in one of his projects and to both him and Birgit for their support, guidance, and friendship that are still lively and ongoing.

My sincere gratitude goes also to Marion Rastelli and Isabelle Rati for having involved me in the FWF-funded project A aiva Interpretation of the Buddhist Theory of Exclusion. The undertaking was originally meant to investigate Pratyabhijs treatment of the Buddhist theory of apoha. Upon Isabelles appointment as professor in Paris, I was allowed to step in and to turn the project into an investigation of the relationship between Bharthari and the aiva school. The first seeds of this book were sown in the two years I spent working under Marions supervision.

In Oxford, I am obliged to the Wolfson College for providing me a wonderful working environment and in particular to Richard Sorabji for his generous, friendly support and for the fascinating discussions we had during our philosophical lunches. I am likewise filled with gratitude for Diwakar Acharya and his students at Oxfords Faculty of Oriental Studies. Re-reading with them Utpaladevas kriks during Hilary Term 2019 has given me new insights into the text and much food for thought.

Several friends and colleagues have helped me in one way or another over the course of the years. I am particularly thankful to Elisa Freschi for backing and appreciating my work since the very beginning. I am also indebted to Daniele Cuneo, Hugo David, Camillo Alessio Formigatti, Alessandro Graheli, Patrick McAllister, Nina Mirnig, Cristina Pecchia, Gianni Pellegrini, Ernst Prets, and Toshikazu Watanabe. Furthermore, I am grateful to Routledges anonymous reviewer for the helpful suggestions and constructive criticism.