Philosophy of Language at the Madrasa: The Emergence of ʾilm al-waḍʾ, its Makeup, and Genesis (PHILAM)

In the 14th century, seemingly out of the blue, a new discipline appeared on the scene of the madrasas (colleges): ʿilm al-waḍʿ, the “science of imposition”. This discipline developed into a core area of madrasa teaching and still figures prominently on the curricula of the remaining traditional schools in the Middle East (examples?). What is ʿilm al-waḍʿ and why did it become so important? ʿIlm al-waḍʿ is the discipline which studies the problem of linguistic reference, i.e., the meaning of words, the extension of terms, the impact of the context in which words are embedded or uttered, and – assuming a discursive setting – the intention of the speaker as well as the hearer’s predisposition. Thus, ʿilm al-waḍʿ is the hermeneutical tool par excellence for any scholar who has to work with texts, but most specifically, for Islamic legal scholars. It is likewise a semantic and a pragmatic discipline. Despite its centrality and tremendous impact, to this date ʿilm al-waḍʿ has hardly found any scholarly attention, and this in both regards: as far as its chief characteristics are concerned and, to an even greater extent, concerning its genesis, i.e., the various traditions and elements that indeed shaped it. It is these two aspects and the specific additional tasks their exploration requires, which are at the center of PHILAM.

Projektbeginn: 01.09.2014
Projektende: (unbegrenzt)

Germann N

Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Philosophisches Seminar
Juniorprofessur für Philosophie mit Schwerpunkt Arabische Philosophie
Platz der Universität 3
79085 Freiburg

Telefon: +49 761 203-9369
Fax: +49 761 203-9260
Email: sekretariat.germann@philosophie.uni-freiburg.de
http://www.arabische-philosophie.uni-freiburg.de/

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