Tattva Journal of Philosophy

Editorial

2025-06-30T08:30:04+00:00

Metaphor and Concept: Some Reflections on the Derrida-Ricoeur Debate

2025-05-09T07:10:01+00:00

The debate between Jacques Derrida and Paul Ricoeur on the philosophical status of metaphor has been seen as between two positions, one which privileges the destabilizing power of the metaphoric over the conceptual (Derrida) and the other which domesticates the metaphoric in the service of the conceptual (Ricoeur). Commentators on this debate, no matter where their sympathies lie, seem to predominantly be in agreement on this issue. In this paper I attempt to invert the frame within which this debate has been viewed. I argue that the debate can more fruitfully be read not as one on the status of metaphor in philosophy, but rather on the task of concept-construction in philosophy. I also argue that in reading this debate from this perspective, we come across a rather surprising conclusion: that it is Derrida, rather than Ricoeur, who provides us with a more robust and profitable mode of concept-construction that can accommodate scientific revolutions, epistemological breaks, and paradigm shifts. Ricoeur’s model of concept construction, I argue, only functions within what Thomas Kuhn has called ‘normal science’.

Rung: Colours of Consciousness.

2025-05-03T11:39:15+00:00

‘Rung,’ colour, has been a subject of exploration by philosophers as the study of consciousness progresses. They believe colours, besides their objective, physical understanding, also have a phenomenal and subjective understanding, for example, the ‘feeling’ that we get when the redness of the red setting sun is felt, or the blueness of the blue sky is experienced. This feeling or subjective phenomenal experience is what has been called consciousness or qualia, qualia being the properties of such experiences. However, deciphering such experiences is what has been the greatest task given to the philosophers; the mystery of this ‘feeling’ or phenomenal experience we get when a colour is perceived is also a mystery, if unfolded, it helps us to decipher what consciousness is. This paper attempts to investigate the subjective experience of colour as explored in Indian Bakhti and Sufi poetry. Colour or ‘rung’ has been extensively used as imagery in such poems, where the experience of being in a divine state is equated to being immersed in the experience of a colour. The divine, also known as ‘rungrez,’ the colour dyer or the colour giver, is the one who infuses us with such colourful experience, the experience of himself or consciousness. In this way, the paper will explore the subjective experiences (of colour) as portrayed in such poetry and will try to perceive the question of consciousness from a different perspective.

Poetic Metaphor, Thinking and Truth

2025-04-21T16:35:48+00:00

Philosophy and poetry are traditionally seen as distinct, even opposing pursuits. While philosophy emphasizes logic, reason, and problem-solving, poetry leans into imagination, emotion, and expression. Despite these differences, the two often overlap, particularly in Political Philosophy. Philosophical thought often employs poetic devices (metaphor) in creating concepts—sometimes unconsciously—while poetry can serve as a powerful medium for philosophical inquiry. The paper focuses on the intersection of poetic metaphor, thought, and action, suggesting that poetry translates abstract concepts into tangible lived experiences, making it an essential foundation for meaningful public discourse. Poetry, with its ability to preserve and communicate the depth of human experience, can resist ideological control and uphold truths that philosophy alone may not capture. As a result, poetic language forms a durable common ground necessary for political dialogue and civic freedom. The paper also highlights the significance of contemporary spoken word poetry, which channels poetic expression into spaces for free speech and political engagement, aligning closely with the aims of political philosophy.

Rhyme Against Reason: On the Platonic Theory of Art

2025-02-26T07:25:44+00:00

In this essay, I trace the influence of Plato on the classical feud between rhyme and reason and investigate Socrates’ notion of divinity to sketch out his theory of art. I also draw a general outline of the metaphysics of poetry enfolding artistic inspiration. Finally, I evaluate the unsettled scores between philosophy and poetry.

The Philosophy of the Plate: Food, Culture, and the Quest for Identity in Northeast India

2025-02-28T07:30:45+00:00

Beyond its basic nutritional function, the food we eat defines us in many ways, forming an integral part of our identity, and it also reflects cultural norms and social practices. This paper explores the meaning of food and its relationship with culture and identity. The importance of food has long been overlooked by scholars across different fields. However, in recent decades, this topic has gained considerable attention from academics. Based on the material and metaphysical qualities of food, this paper explores the concept of food, culture, identity, and the sensory experience of food. By briefly exploring the Mizo food culture, this paper also looks at the interconnectedness of these fundamental concepts in Mizo society. This paper aims to encourage future analysis across multiple disciplines, encompassing interdisciplinary studies that philosophise culinary and food studies.

Intersections of Philosophy and Social Science: Exploring their Inextricable Relationship

2025-03-07T16:19:54+00:00

This paper seeks to reassess the significance of philosophical inquiry, which, despite its historical importance, often remains marginalised in contemporary discussions. The relationship between philosophy and social science is symbiotic and mutually enriching. Philosophy provides the theoretical foundations, critical perspectives, and conceptual tools that inform social scientific inquiry, while social science research offers empirical data and real-world contexts that challenge and refine philosophical theories. This dynamic interaction contributes to a deeper understanding of human society and enriches both fields of study.To begin, let us delve into the etymological origins of the word "Philosophy". Etymologically, "philosophy" is derived from the Greek words 'Philein', meaning "to love", and 'Sophia', meaning "knowledge" or "wisdom". The Greeks believed that anyone seeking knowledge in any area could be considered a philosopher, as philosophy once encompassed nearly all forms of knowledge.[i] Despite the inherent value invested in philosophy, it has not received adequate recognition to justify its importance in contemporary discourse. It often faces the burden of constant justification, particularly within academic contexts, including social science studies. This raises questions about the role and subject matter of philosophy.Philosophy, as a subject, engages in critical inquiry into fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and society. Its methodology requires ongoing justification within academic discourse, especially within the realm of social science studies. This paper aims to address some of these morally problematic questions and argue for the immense significance of philosophical inquiry in enhancing social science research. The objective of this paper is to highlight key insights that a philosophical examination of the social sciences can offer. By doing so, it aims to underscore the pivotal role of philosophical inquiry in advancing our understanding of human society and advocating for its integration into social science studies. A philosophical approach can critically assess the assumptions, methodologies, and ethical implications inherent in social science research, leading to more robust and reflective scholarship. For instance, philosophical analysis can challenge biases in sociological theories, offer deeper insights into ethical issues in psychological research, and question the epistemological foundations of anthropological studies. By incorporating philosophical inquiry, social scientists can attain a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of human behavior and social structures, ultimately fostering a more ethical and reflective practice. This paper, therefore, argues for a closer integration of philosophical perspectives into social science disciplines to enhance their theoretical and practical contributions to understanding and improving human society.

On Philosophy and Poetry in Contemporary Thought

2025-05-20T03:53:43+00:00

The Impossibility of Verse: Understanding Limited Research Engagement with Poetry

2025-05-19T04:36:41+00:00

This study explores the lack of academic research on poetry among postgraduate learners by examining their perception, experience, and interaction with poetry through their educational years. Using semi-structured interviews, the study identifies factors influencing their engagement and research interest in poetry. Findings reveal that learners perceive poetry as laborious, a view often reinforced by mechanical and exam-oriented teaching methods in early education. This pedagogical approach, coupled with a sense of poetry being an inaccessible form, leads to reduced personal reading and a lack of confidence in the learners' own interpretation. At the university level, poetry is often sidelined in favour of more accessible literary forms and modes of analysis as a primary research option. This diminished engagement limits the emergence of research questions, contributing to a cycle where less reading results in less research, perpetuating the gap in poetry scholarship. The paper calls for pedagogical reform to foster genuine appreciation and encourage poetry as an area for academic inquiry.

Silence in the Philosophical Classroom: On Learning and Teaching Poetry

2025-05-19T15:49:38+00:00

This article is an examination of the treatment of poetry within educational and academic contexts, a reflection from the positionality of a student of literature. It draws on both personal experiences and broader philosophical anxieties. It argues that institutional emphasis on analytical clarity and narrative coherence has led to a discomfort with the ambiguous, affective, and non-propositional nature of poetic language.