Introduction
Apohavada is a unique theory of meaning developed by Buddhist philosophers in India. It explains how we understand the meaning of words and categories. The word “apoha” means “exclusion,” and the theory says that we understand a word not by what it includes, but by what it excludes. This view is very different from other Indian theories of meaning, like those in Nyaya or Mimamsa schools.
Basic Idea of Apohavada
According to Apohavada, when we say a word like “cow,” we are not directly identifying a universal idea of “cow-ness.” Instead, we are excluding everything that is not a cow. So “cow” means “not non-cow.” This means that meaning comes through exclusion, not through pointing to some universal quality.
Why Did Buddhists Propose This?
- Buddhists do not accept the existence of real universals.
- They believe only individual things (particulars) exist.
- To explain how language still works without universals, they proposed Apohavada.
Example
When a teacher says, “This is a cow,” the student learns to recognize the object not by a universal “cow-ness,” but by understanding that it is not a dog, not a horse, not a chair, and so on. The meaning of “cow” arises by excluding all the things that are not cows.
Comparison with Other Views
- Nyaya School: Believes in real universals that exist in all members of a class.
- Mimamsa School: Also supports universals and sees language as a way to reveal them.
- Buddhist Apohavada: Denies universals and explains meaning through exclusion.
Strengths of Apohavada
- Explains how meaning works without needing to accept abstract universals.
- Fits with Buddhist logic and their belief in impermanence and individuality.
Criticisms
- Some say that meaning cannot be built on exclusions alone.
- Others argue that positive recognition is also necessary for understanding meaning.
Conclusion
Apohavada is a powerful and original theory of meaning from Buddhist philosophy. It shows that words gain meaning by excluding what they are not. While it may not answer every question about language, it offers a unique way to think about how we understand and use words.