epistemology and hermeneutics

[Guest guest]

> 1. What exactly is epistemology and hermeneutics? Based on your text I

> understand that it is a system or set of rules for a philosophical

> discussion / debate.

 

Epistemology means an accepted system of acquiring knowlwedge. As Gaudiya

Vaisnavas, we accept pratyaksa, anuman, and especially sabda. Why so has

been delineated by Jiva Goswami. Hermeneutics for us means how we understand

sabda. What is to be taken literally, what is to be understood

metaphorically, how to resolve apparent contradictions, etc. Unless we are

clear about the ground rules, debates canot be truly philosophical.

 

> 2. Is this required for every devotee

 

Best for most devotees is to chant Hare Krishna, be happy, and have a good

general knowledge of Krishna conscious philosophy. Hair splitting debates

are only necessary because those of little faith make innumerable

objections. Still, they have to be replied to and someone has to do that.

 

3. What principles did Vedanta Philosophers incorporate from

> the Nyaya and Mimamsaka schools?

 

Rules of understanding and interpreting texts. Too big a subject to get into

here. Look up sakha-candra nyaya and SB 10.9.42 for some idea.

 

> 4. What is the undefeatable system Madhva has formulated?

 

His whole system of philosophy (suddha dvaita) is precisely formulated,

using cutting logic to defeat Mayavadis at every point.

 

> 5. I humbly beg your Holiness to propose epistemology and hermeneutics for

> all the discussions philosophical or otherwise on the COM, so that we all

> can try to follow and see how it helps our society.

 

First some ground rules have to be established. But the age of "free

thinking" accepts as an axiomatic right the freedom to say anything ("any

opinion is as good as another") and thus promotes sloppy thinking and

confusion.