Metaphysics of Communication

Abstract

The Metaphysics of Communication explores the foundational principles of communication that extend beyond the transmission of information, delving into the nature, intention, and ontological significance of linguistic interactions. This paper presents a comparative analysis of various philosophical traditions, including Western thinkers such as Ludwig Wittgenstein, alongside Indian philosophical perspectives like Bhartrihari’s Sphoṭa theory and the Nyaya concept of śabda-pramāṇa. Central to this investigation is the question of whether language inherently communicates intention or functions through an underlying mechanism rooted in shared cultural practices and contexts. Wittgenstein’s notion of forms of life suggests that language gains meaning from its use within communal activities, where shared practices enable understanding. However, this shared understanding remains fluid, resisting confinement within fixed frameworks of reference. This insight challenges the assumption that intention is a stable and fully transmittable entity. In contrast, Bhartrhari’s Sphoṭa theory posits an indivisible unity of sound and meaning, emphasizing an intuitive grasp of the speaker’s intention. By juxtaposing these perspectives, the analysis examines the ontological and epistemological dimensions of communication, highlighting how diverse intellectual traditions address the questions of intention, meaning, and the limitations of linguistic representation. This study ultimately argues that communication is not merely a mechanical transfer of ideas but a dynamic interplay of intention, context, and shared existence, revealing the profound connection between language and human experience.