Anumana in Indian Philosophy
by Sangita Chakravarty | 2016 | 48,195 words
This page relates ‘Fallacy (Hetvabhasa)� of the study on the concept of Anumana (inference) in the Vedic schools of Indian Philosophy. Anumana usually represents the most authentic means of valid knowledge. This paper discusses the traditional philosophical systems such as Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
(F). Fallacy (ٱ)
In Indian logic, fallacy is called ٱ. ٱ is defined as something which seems to be a true hetu but which is wrong and which prevents us from arriving at an ԳܳԲ. Literally speaking, ٱ means a fallacious reason which looks like a hetu but is not hetu (hetuvadābhāsate iti...) . In the ղ첹ṃgdipīkā, ٱ is defined as that which is the subject of a right knowledge that prevents a judgment.[1]
S.C. Chatterjee rightly holds,
“T ⲹ account of the fallacies of inference is accordingly limited to those of its members or constituent propositions and these have been finally reduced to those of hetu or reason�.[2]
For the purpose of proof of an inference (ԳܳԲ), Gautama mentions five constituents of inference (ԳܳԲ), viz.,
The validity of an inference depends on the validity of these five constituent parts of it. If there is anything wrong with any of its members, the syllogism as a whole becomes fallacious. The fallacies of inference (ԳܳԲ) ultimately arise out of the fallacious reason (ٱ). There are no formal fallacies in the ⲹ system, which is not concerned with formal truth. The ⾱첹 bring the fallacies of inference (ԳܳԲ) under the fallacies of the reason.
Different kinds of ٱ:
In the ⲹ system Gautama classified all the inferential fallacies under five heads,[3] viz., (i) ⲹ, (ii) viruddha, (iii) 첹ṇa, (iv) ⲹ, and (v) īٲ or ٲ.
The fallacies of reason have been variously named and classified by various logicians, e.g.,
Gautama:
- ⲹ,
- viruddha,
- 첹ṇa,
- ⲹ,
- īٲ (ٲ).
Ҳṅgś:
ñ:
- asiddha,
- viruddha,
- ԲԳپ첹,
- ٲⲹ貹徱ṣṭ,
- 첹ṇa.
ṇād:
- aprasiddha,
- viruddha,
- ṃd.
ʰśٲ岹: adds anadhyavasita in the list of ṇād, but later on includes it under the sub types of asiddha
śś:
- asiddha,
- viruddha,
- ԲԳپ첹,
- 첹ṇa,
- ٲⲹ貹徱ṣṭ.
ԲԲṭṭ:
- ⲹ,
- viruddha,
- ٱپ貹ṣa,
- asiddha,
- ٲ.[4]
վśٳ:
- ԲԳپ첹,
- viruddha,
- asiddha,
- پ貹ṣiٲ,
- ٲⲹ貹徱ṣṭ.
Jayanta also follows Gautama in naming the fallacies of reason but he surpasses almost all his predecessors in giving the detailed account of all the five types of fallacies of reason. Except for a slight difference in nomenclature, the ⾱첹 and the ղśṣi첹 are unanimous in holding that the fallacies of reason are five-fold. Now we shall discuss them in the following heads:
(1) ⲹ:
In the ⲹ system, the first kind of inferential fallacy is called ⲹ or ԲԳپ첹.[5] There are two views about this fallacy of reason. Gautama calls it ⲹ or ԲԳپ첹, while ṇād calls it ṃd.[6] Saṃdigdha is the doubtful or inconclusive reason.
He gives two examples, e.g.,
- “This is a horse, because it has horns.� This is an example of the former type of fallacy.
- “This is a bull, because it has horns.� This is an example of the second type of fallacy.
ʰśٲ岹 interprets the ղśṣi첹ūtra as mentioning three fallacies, contradictory, unproven and inconclusive reason. He equates aprasiddha with viruddha, asan with asiddha and ṃd with ԲԳپ첹 (ⲹ).[7]
Gautama defines an inconclusive reason (ⲹ) as one which has variable concomitance with the predicate.[8] The ⲹ is that reason which leads to more conclusions than one. In ⲹ, the hetu is found to lead to no single conclusion but to different opposite conclusions. The ⲹ hetu is not uniformly concomitant with the major term. It is related to both the existence and the non-existence of the major term. Therefore, it is called ԲԳپ첹, or an irregular concomitant of the ⲹ.
It is of three kinds, viz.,
The ṇa or the ordinary fallacy of the irregular middle occurs when the middle term is in some cases related to the major and in the other cases related to the absence of the major.[10] In the ղ첹ṃg it is stated that a ṇa hetu is that where the reason or hetu may be present, when the property to be proved is absent. Here, the middle term is too wide.
For example:�
All knowable objects are fiery;
The hill is knowable;
So, the hill is fiery.
The second form of the ⲹ is known as aṇa or the extraordinary. It is just the opposite of ṇa, being found neither in 貹ṣa nor in 貹ṣa. [11] In it, the middle term is too narrow. It is related neither to things in which the major exists nor to those in which it does not exist.[12] Here, the middle term is only present in the minor term.
For example-
Sound is eternal;
Because there is ‘soundness� or ś岹ٱ. The nature of sound is a peculiar characteristic of the sound. Here, the middle term ‘soundness� is related only to the minor term ‘sound�. It is found neither in eternal objects like the �soul� nor in other non-eternal things, like ‘a jar.�
The third form of the ⲹ is called Գܱ貹ṃhī, or the indefinite.[13] In the Գܱ貹ṃhī, the middle term is non-exclusive and the minor term is all inclusive. These inclusive reasons are defined by վśٳ.[14] Here, in the Գܱ貹ṃhī, the middle term is related to a minor term that stands not for any definite individual, but indefinitely for all objects.
For example:
‘All objects are eternal�,
Because they are knowable.
Here, the validity of this inference (ԳܳԲ) depends on the validity of the major premise, viz., ‘all knowable objects are eternal�. But the validity of the major premise cannot be proved since beyond all objects we have no instances of the concomitance between the knowable and the eternal. According to Uddyotakara there are sixteen sub-kinds of inconclusive reasons.[15] In the ⲹ system, Jayanta’s view is identical with that of ٲⲹԲ, regarding the etymology of the term ԲԳپ첹. According to Jayanta, if a reason does not belong to similar instances, it is faulty and is to be called ԲԳپ첹. [16] In the ղ첹ṣ�, Keśavamiśra opines that ⲹ is of two kinds, viz., ṇa and aṇa. The common strayer or ṇa hetu is that which exists in all the three, i.e., 貹ṣa, 貹ṣa and 貹ṣa. [17] On the otherhand, the peculiar strayer or aṇa hetu is that which is absent from both 貹ṣa and 貹ṣa but exists only in 貹ṣa. [18]
(2) Viruddha:
The second kind of inferential fallacy is called viruddha. In the ⲹsūtra[19] and ⲹbhāṣya, it is stated that the contradictory is the reason which opposes what is be established. For example, ‘a pot is produced, because it is eternal�. Here, the reason is contradictory. Because that which is eternal is never produced. ṇād refers it as aprasiddha. [20] The unsubstantial is called fallacious arguments. According to Uddyotakara, it is called viruddha since it contradicts an admitted truth.[21] For example, ‘sound is eternal�, ‘because it is produced.� Here the reason, ‘producedness� contradicts the proposition, ‘sound is eternal� instead of proving it. ٲⲹԲ states that the fallacy of the viruddha consists in the opposition of one doctrine to a previously accepted doctrine.[22] Thus, it is a contradiction between the different parts of a system. In the ղ첹ṃg, ԲԲṭṭ opines, that is called viruddha or the contradictory middle, which is pervaded by the absence of the major term.[23] The result is that such a middle term instead of proving the existence of the major in the minor term, which is intended by it, proves its non-existence there in. In the ղ첹ṣ� it is stated that the contradictory reason is that which has invariable concomitance with the negation of the probandum, e.g., sound is eternal, because it is a product.[24] From the definition it is clear that a viruddha hetu can exist only in 貹ṣa and so lacks the characteristic 貹ṣāsٳٱ. According to Ҳṅgś, the viruddha hetu proves the non-existence of the predicate, though it is advanced to prove its existence. Jayanta is quite aware of the difference between the interpretations offered by ٲⲹԲ and Uddyotakara. In the above discussion, it is observed that there is a slight difference between the fallacies of the ⲹ and the viruddha. The difference is that while in the former, the middle term is universally related neither to the existence of the major nor to its non-existence. In the later, the middle term is universally related to the non-existence of the major term. As a whole it means that the ⲹ hetu fails to prove the conclusion whereas the viruddha hetu proves the contradictory proposition.
(3) ʰ첹ṇa or Satprati貹ṣa:
The third kind of inferential fallacy is known as 첹ṇa or ٱپ貹ṣa. Gautama, in his ⲹsūtra, states that here the middle term is contradicted by another middle term.[25] ٲⲹԲ interprets it as the oscillation of mind between two contradictory characters of an object brought about by mutually opposed and equally strong arguments and counter arguments[26] . It means that when a middle term oscillates between two opposite views we have a case of the 첹ṇa middle. In the ղ첹ṃg, ԲԲṭṭ states that when the reason is counterbalanced by another reason which proves the negation of what is to be proved then it is called the fallacy of equalization or ٱپ貹ṣa. [27] Ҳṅgś thinks that ٱپ貹ṣa is a temporary flaw in an inference (ԳܳԲ) which remains till a doubt about one of the reasons is removed.[28] Keśavamiśra refers that the 첹ṇa is also called ٱپ貹ṣa or that which is opposed by another reason which proves the existence of the opposite of the proposed probandum.[29] Jayanta refers to aٱپ貹ṣatva as one of the five characteristics of a valid reason. He maintains that if a reason is faced with the existence of an equally strong counter reason (prati貹ṣa), it is fallacious since the opposite reasons counteract with each other and fail to establish the conclusion. He distinguishes a counterbalanced reason (첹ṇa) from an inclusive reason (ԲԳپ첹). In the former, two different characters of the minor term are taken as the middle terms leading to opposite conclusions. In the later one, the same character of the minor term is taken as a middle term that may lead to opposite conclusions. Again, it is also different from the viruddha hetu or contradictory middle. The former is not known to exist or not to exist in similar instances; nor is it known to exist in dissimilar instances, while the later is known to exist in dissimilar instances.[30]
(4) ⲹ or Asiddha:
The fourth kind of inferential fallacy is called ⲹ or the asiddha. Gautama defines an unproven reason (ⲹ) as one that requires to be proved like the predicate.[31] An asiddha hetu is one that has ṣa called asiddhi and asiddhi is the absence of siddhi which consists in the true cognition of the ⲹvyāpyahetu as a property of 貹ṣa; or briefly speaking, asiddhi is the non-production of 貹峾ś. The word ⲹ means a middle term which is similar to the ⲹ or the major term. ٲⲹԲ regards it as not different in logical validity from the predicate in as much as it requires to be proved like it. His illustration of this fallacy runs as ‘shadow is a substance, because it possesses motion.� Here, unless it is really proved that shadow possesses motion, it cannot be accepted as the reason for the proposition that shadow is a substance.[32] Uddyotakara, however, mentions it as asiddha and sub-divides it into three kinds; viz., ñ貹īⲹԲ, ś and Բⲹٳ. [33] Jayanta refers to this fallacy by both of the names, i.e., ⲹ and therefore fallacious.[34]
In the ղśṣi첹 system, ʰśٲ岹 refers four sub-types of asiddha. These are�
- ܲ [ܲ�],
- Բⲹٲ [Բⲹٲ�],
- ٲ屹 [ٲ屹�] and
- Գܳ [Գܳ�].[35]
The main forms of the fallacy of asiddha, is of three kinds, viz.,
- ś,
- ū and
- ⲹٱ.[36]
In the ś, the minor term is the locus of the middle term. If the minor term is unreal and fictitious, the middle term cannot be related to it; consequently, in such a case, the minor premise in which the middle term is related to a fictitious minor term becomes false, e.g., “a skylotus is fragrant, because it is a lotus, like a lotus in the pond�. Here, skylotus is the subject and that is totally non-existent.[37] The middle term having no locus standi, we have a fallacy of the ś or the baseless middle. From the example ś can also be defined as- pakṣe 貹ṣatāvacchedakābhāva� or simply 貹ṣatābhāva�. [38]
The ū is a middle term which cannot be proved to be real in relation to the minor term. It is a middle term which is not found in the minor term.[39] In it, the hetu itself is asiddha. A reason must exist in the subject. If it does not exist, it can not afford to provide the basis of inference. For example–“sound is eternal, because it is visible, like a pot.� Here we find that the visibility is not present in the subject and its assumption in sound is wrong and is not justified by facts. This differs from ś. In the ū, the locus is either false or not proper. It may be defined as - pakṣe hetvābhāva�.
The ū consists in many sub-types, such as�
- śܻ,
- 岵,
- śṣaṇās and
- śṣy.
The general characteristic of these sub-varieties is that in all these, the reason is non-existent in the minor term.
The ⲹٱ is a middle term whose concomitance (پ) with the major term cannot be proved.[40] A valid inference requires that the middle term must be concomitant with the major term. If this condition is not fulfilled, the inference becomes invalid.
The fallacy of ⲹٱ may be of two types�
(i) It may be on account of the non-concomitance of the middle term with the major term. It means the first is caused by the absence of any evidence to grasp the پ.
For example�
all reals are momentary,
sound is real,
therefore, sound is momentary.
There is no evidence which enables one to ascertain the پ, yat sat tat kṣaṇikam. Here, the major premise is false. Because there is no universal relation between the ‘real� and ‘momentary�.
(ii) Or, it may be on account of the presence of a condition (ܱ). For example–“the hill is smoky, because it is fiery.� Here, the relation of the middle term (fire) to the major term (smoke) is conditional since a fire is smoky if there is a wet fuel.[41] This fallacy of the conditional middle is technically called ⲹٱ. [42]
(5) Kālātīta or Bādhita:
The fifth kind of inferential fallacy is called īٲ or ٲ hetu. The īٲ literally means a middle term which is vitiated by the lapse of time.[43] ٲⲹԲ interprets it in this manner- “sound is durable, because it is manifested by conjunction, like colour.� Here, the argument is fallacious, since in the case of colour the manifestation takes place simultaneously with the contact between light and the coloured thing. But the manifestation of sound is separated by an interval of time from the contact between two objects. So, here, the reason is not congruous with the instance and is not capable of establishing the predicate.[44] Uddyotakara gives the same meaning of ٲⲹⲹ貹徱ṣṭ, as ٲⲹԲ does.[45] But 峦貹پ takes it in the sense of a contradicted reason (ٲ). It is contradicted by perception, inference and Vedic testimony. According to the ղ첹ṃg, a ٲ hetu is that where the negation of what is to be proved is established without doubt by another proof.[46] In the ղ첹ṣ�, Keśavamiśra opines that the term ٲⲹ貹徱ṣṭ means a hetu put forward after the lapse of proper time; i.e., after the negation of the probandum has been ascertained by a more trust-worthy proof. It is also called ٲ. [47] Ҳṅgś clearly states ٲ in the list of fallacious reason. According to Jayanta, in this fallacy the reason refers more than one event which succeed one another in time. He, however, incorporates the absence of uncontradictoriness as a characteristic of ٲⲹ貹徱ṣṭ and thereby seems to hold ٲ as another name of īٲ. While the īٲ stands for a middle term vitiated by a limitation in time, the ٲ means a middle term which is contradicted by some other source of knowledge. The fallacy of ٲ is different from the fallacy of ٱپ貹ṣa. In the former, an inference is contradicted by a non-inferential source of knowledge, while in the later one inference is contradicted by another inference.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
anumitipratibandhaka yathārthajnānavisayatvam ٱtvam, ղ첹ṃgdīpikā on ղ첹ṃg 46
[2]:
The ⲹ Theory of Knowledge, p. 218
[6]:
aprasiddho’napadeśo’san ṃdścānapadeśa�, yasmād viṣāni tasmād ś�; yasmād viṣāni, tasmād gauriti cānaikāntikasyodāharaṇam. ղśṣi첹ūtra, iii. 1. 15-17
[8]:
ԲԳپ첹� ⲹ�. ⲹsūtra, i.ii. 4
[9]:
[10]:
ṇa� ⲹvat tadanyavṛtti�. ⲹsūtravṛtti, 1. 2. 5
[11]:
sarva貹ṣa貹ṣavyāvṛtto’ṇa�. ղ첹ṃg,46
[13]:
Աⲹⲹپ첹ṛṣṭānٲٴ‵ܱ貹ṃhī. ղ첹ṃg, p. 56
[14]:
[15]:
Vide Bijalwan, C.D., Indian Theory of Knowledge, p. 177
[16]:
Ibid.
[17]:
tatra 貹ṣa貹ṣa貹ṣavṛtti� ṇa�. ղ첹ṣ�, 55
[18]:
yasapakṣādvipakṣāccha 屹ṛtٲ� pakṣe eva vartate so’ṇa�. Ibid.
[19]:
siddhāntamabhyupetya tadvirodhī viruddha. ⲹsūtra, i.ii. 6
[20]:
‵貹ś�. ղśṣi첹ūtra, iii. 1. 15
[22]:
ⲹbhāṣya, 1. 2. 6
[23]:
sādhyābhāvavyāpto heturviruddha�. ղ첹ṃg, p. 57
[26]:
ⲹbhāṣya, i. 2. 7
[31]:
sādhyāviśiṣṭa� ⲹtvāt ⲹ�. ⲹsūtra, i. 2. 8
[32]:
ⲹbhāṣya, I.II. 8
[34]:
ⲹmañjarī, II-162
[36]:
tatra asiddhastṛvidha�, āśryāsiddha� svarūpāsiddho vyapyatvāsiddha iti. ղ첹ṣ�, 53
[37]:
ṇārԻ岹� surabhi, aravindatvāt, sorojāravindavat. atra gagaṇāravindamāśraya� sa tu nāstyeva. Ibid.
[38]:
Ibid., p. 98
[39]:
svarūpāsiddho yathā, śabdo’Ծٲⲹḥ cākṣuṣatvāt, ghatavat. Ibid.
[40]:
pakṣe vyāpyatāvacchedakābhāva�. Ibid.
[41]:
Ibid.
[42]:
ⲹvārttikatātparyaṭīkā, p. 345
[44]:
kālātyayena yukto yasyārthasyaikadeśo’padiśyamānasya sa ٲⲹ貹徱ṣṭ� īٲ iti uchyate�..evamܻṇasādharmasyābhāvādasādhanamaya� heturٱ iti. ⲹbhāṣya, i. 2. 9
[45]:
ⲹvārttika, i. 2. 50
[47]:
pakṣe pramāṇāntarāvadhṛtasādhyābhāvoheturٲviṣaya� ٲⲹ貹徱ṣṭ iti cochyate. ղ첹ṣ�, 57