Future Human Image (May 2020)
The Image of Philosophy in Indian Culture: Etymology and Untranslatability of Terms
Abstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of etymology and semantic connotations of Sanskrit terms: anvīkṣiki, darśana, vidyā, tarkavidyā, tarka, tattvajñāna, jñāna, tattvavidyā, tattva, tārkikatva, indriyāsaṅga for the purpose of disclosing the complete image of the philosophy in the Indian culture. The author abandoned the most popular approach in the scientific literature, which is to clarify the philosophical content of the creative achievements of Indian thinkers by defining one term as close as possible to the meaning of the “Western” concept of philosophy. The article recognizes that each of the chosen terms is untranslatable, and the specificity of their meanings creates and explains the integrity of the general image of philosophy in Indian culture. The importance of the etymology in explaining the meanings of the vocabulary of Indian philosophy and in identifying common and distinct terms that are used for consideration has been demonstrated. The article reveals the connection between the meaning of “philosophy” and “science” and “logic” in Indian culture. It clarifies which terms are the key ones and which are marginal to the history of Indian philosophical thought.
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