Reflections on Human Inquiry

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. Introduction

   • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

   Pages 1-10

3. Human Reality

   • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

   Pages 11-30

4. Science and the Mind

   • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

   Pages 31-50

5. Theories and Shifting Domains

   • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

   Pages 51-65

6. The Sceptic and the Cognitivist

   • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

   Pages 67-81

7. From Things to Needs

   • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

   Pages 83-96

8. Yearning for Consciousness

   • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

   Pages 97-116

9. Ascription of Knowledge

   • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

   Pages 117-131

10. Beliefs and Believers

    • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

    Pages 133-152

11. Varieties of Interpretation

    • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

    Pages 153-169

12. Literature and Common Life

    • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

    Pages 171-185

13. Education for the Species

    • Nirmalangshu Mukherji

    Pages 187-198

14. Back Matter

    Pages 199-203

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This original volume examines forms and limits of human inquiry from a largely sceptical point of view. Human beings are endowed with cognitive agency. Our grasp of the world, and of ourselves, are not merely responses to external stimuli; they are reflective products of human inquiry. At one point in human history it was thought that modern science, especially theoretical physics, is the paradigm of human inquiry. Where does this form of inquiry significantly apply? Are there limits on its claims of truth and objectivity? How much of the vast canvas of human experience does it cover? Where do other forms of inquiry, such as philosophy, religion, and the arts, attain their salience? 

 

With the emergence of the scientific study of the human mind itself, these critical questions have taken a more intriguing form in recent decades. Can human inquiry investigate its own nature? Can the scientific theory of language explain the richness of human expression? Can a science of the mind account for human experience? These probing questions on the scientific enterprise are usually addressed from the outside, as it were, by humanists and critical theorists. In these essays, they are examined from the inside by a philosopher whose primary academic work concerns the study of the human, linguistic mind. In that sense, the sceptical inquiry turns on itself.

• Thomas Nagel
• textuality and interpretation
• Noam Chomsky
• grammar and human mind
• literary mode of life
• belief as a social concept
• knowledge as belief
• anti-realism
• Nancy Cartwright
• methods of human inquiry
• context of human knowledge
• semantics

“Mukherji’s volume is very rich, bringing together a number of issues in recent/late twentieth century philosophy, without being overwhelming. … Well written, this is an enjoyable book to read, that seeks to bring philosophical debate to a broad audience.” (William Sweet, Sophia, Vol. 59, 2020)

“With remarkable range and depth, these tantalizing essays explore scientific and cultural forms of inquiry, leading concerns of Indian and western philosophy (and indigenous thought as well), the role of the cognitive agent in description and ascription – concepts that are examined in depth -- and other topics that have inspired reflection on the world and ourselves for ages.  At each point, there are instructive and challenging new perspectives and insights.  A notable achievement, and a welcome gift to the inquiring mind.” (Noam Chomsky, Institute Professor of Linguistics and Philosophy Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

“Nirmalnagshu Mukherji's selection of essays in this book are reflections of a fine scholar made over a very worthy career of research and teaching in Philosophy and Linguistics in India for the last many decades. Their range is wide —science, philosophy, literature, linguistics, music, religion, and everyday experience—and they are at once rigorous and accessible. They reflect a deep commitment to scientific objectivity, even as they are wise in their understanding of the limits of science’s reach into the domain of what he calls ‘common life’. They will be a source of much pleasure and instruction and insight to the serious reader.” (Akeel Bilgrami, Johnsonian Professor of Philosophy, Columbia University)

“A collection of essays on classical topics -- knowledge, truth, realism, belief, meaning, interpretation – by a critical and innovative mind with an atypical intellectual profile. Mukherji is nourished by analytic philosophy and theoretical linguistics, but his interests go well beyond narrow academic concerns. His writings reflect the breadth of his aspirations and should appeal to the general public as well as to the experts.” (Francois Recanati, Senior Fellow, CNRS, Paris)

• University of Delhi, Delhi, India

  Nirmalangshu Mukherji

Nirmalangshu Mukherji is a former Professor of Philosophy at the University of Delhi. He is the National Visiting Professor for Indian Council of Philosophical Research (2015-16). His primary academic interest is the study of language and mind. His publications in this broad area include The Cartesian Mind: Reflections on Language and Music (2000) and The Primacy of Grammar (MIT, 2010). He also co-edited Noam Chomsky’s The Architecture of Language (OUP, 2000). Professor Mukherji is also professionally interested in the nature of human inquiry, including the character of philosophical practice. Some of his work in this area is collected in the present book. He is actively engaged with issues of peace, justice and human rights. Apart from many dozens of articles, he has two books: December 13: Terror over Democracy (Bibliophile South Asia, 2005) and Maoists in India: Tribals under Siege (Pluto 2012, Amaryllis 2013).

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