Metaphor and Analogy in Kumarila Bhatta, Classical Indian Philosopher

FAIN: FT-264727-19

Colin Malcolm Keating
National University of Singapore (Singapore 919777034 SINGAPORE)

Research and writing leading to the publication of a book about Hindu philosopher Kumarila Bhatta (ca. 700 A.D.), which will include an English translation of some of his works.

Human beings use metaphor and analogy in scientific reasoning, literature, philosophy, and in their everyday lives. However, despite being pervasive, metaphors and analogies are still the subject of significant inquiry: what is their structure? how are they related? how are they useful for knowledge? Indian philosophers have been considering these questions for thousands of years, and yet their efforts are largely ignored in contemporary philosophical work on the topic. While it is broadly known that classical Indian thought had sophisticated theories of meaning, much work remains to be done, especially on Kumarila Bhatta's work in this area, which was extremely influential for later Indian philosophy. Metaphor and Analogy in Kumarila Bhatta explores 7th century Mimamsa ("Hermeneutics") philosopher Kumarila Bhatta's theory of linguistic meaning in light of his broader philosophical project, showing that it has implications for thinking about metaphor and analogy.