Standards and Reference in Early Chinese Philosophy of Language - by Season Blake (Hardcover)

About the Book

Investigates early Chinese philosophy of language though the concept of 'fa'.

Book Synopsis

Standards and Reference in Early Chinese Philosophy of Language

explores how early Chinese thinkers approached language, emphasizing

the roles of standards (fa) and the practice of giving examples (ju). It

argues that standards are understood by early Chinese philosophers to

provide the groundwork for judgment and language, not only in the Mohist

school, but also in other thinkers from the Warring States and early Han,

particularly Zhuangzi and Xunzi.

Blake demonstrates that standards and examples provide a way to

identify the reference of words and assess others' judgments and linguistic

competence, similar to some theories found in contemporary analytic texts.

They also discuss the ways in which the Mohist account goes beyond a

discussion of reference through a focus on communication and predication.

Providing new insights into ancient Chinese thought and the nature

of language, this book is for those working in comparative philosophy,

philosophy of language, Chinese philosophy, and East Asian studies.

Review Quotes

"Was there philosophy in classical China? 50 years ago analysis of the recently rediscovered Mohist theory of language tipped the balance in favor of a positive answer. Now an ambitious philosopher of language and historian of philosophy is taking up the interpretations of Mohist theory of language to bring them into contact with modern Western theories and to argue for including Chinese thought in philosophical curricula. This fresh discussion of the relation between pragmatic standards and semantic reference is a must read for anyone interested in cross-cultural philosophy." --Chad Hansen, Professor of Philosophy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About the Author

Susan Blake is Visiting Assistant Professor at Bard College, USA.