Truthfulness as a Standard for Speech in Ancient India
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1989
Description
By revealing the link between truthfulness and spiritual liberation in Indian philosophy, this essay shows why truthfulness was the foremost standard for speech in ancient India. Next, it shows how Vedic and post‐Vedic texts define the practice of truthfulness. In contrast to earlier studies of the social functions of Indian rhetoric, the essay emphasizes Indian ideas about the consequences of truthfulness and deceit for speakers themselves. Following this, it discusses the influence of these ideas on rhetorical practice in ancient India, then considers how such ideas might contribute to current rhetorical and ethical studies.
Citation Information
Kirkwood, William G.. 1989. Truthfulness as a Standard for Speech in Ancient India. Southern Communication Journal. Vol.54(3). 213-234. https://doi.org/10.1080/10417948909372758 ISSN: 1041-794X