Indian Logic Part 02

This document is the second part of a comprehensive study of Jayanta Bhatta's Nyāyamañjarī, a significant Sanskrit text on Indian logic, authored by Nagin J. Shah. Published in 1995 by Sanskrit Sanskriti Granthamala, this volume delves into crucial aspects of Nyāya philosophy as presented by Jayanta Bhatta, a Kashmiri pundit who lived during the reign of King Sankaravarman (885-902 A.D.).

The book meticulously analyzes the second and third Āhnikas (chapters) of the Nyāyamañjarī, covering the core topics of Indian epistemology and logic:

Chapter 1: Perception, Inference, Analogy

This chapter is structured into three main sections:

• Perception (Pratyakṣa):

  • Nyāyasūtra Definition: The study begins with an in-depth examination of the Nyāyasūtra's definition of perception: "cognition born of sense-object contact, non-verbal, non-erroneous, and certain." Shah meticulously analyzes each term in the definition, exploring its implications and the philosophical debates surrounding them.
  • Buddhist Definition: The text critically assesses the Buddhist definition of perception, which characterizes it as cognition devoid of thought and non-illusory. The author highlights the philosophical divergence between Nyāya and Buddhist views on the nature of perception and thought.
  • Kumārilite Definition: The study examines the Kumārilite definition of perception, noting its similarities and differences with Jayanta's own position.
  • Sankhya Definition: A brief critical reference is made to the Sankhya definition of perception, identifying its potential overlaps with other forms of cognition.

• Inference (Anumāna):

  • Fivefold Nature of a Probans: This section contrasts the Nyāya school's fivefold classification of valid means of inference (hetu) with the Buddhist threefold classification, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each.
  • Problem of Invariable Concomitance (Vyāpti): A significant portion is dedicated to the crucial concept of invariable concomitance, the necessary condition for valid inference, exploring Jayanta's critique of the Buddhist perspective and his own understanding of how this relation is established.
  • Vindicating the Possibility of Inference: The author discusses Jayanta's arguments in defense of the very possibility of inference against various objections.
  • Nyāyasūtra Definition of Inference: An analysis of the Nyāyasūtra's definition of inference, which categorizes it into pūrvavat, śeṣavat, and sāmānyatodṛṣṭa, is provided with detailed interpretations.
  • Cognition of Time and Space: The chapter concludes with an exploration of how time and space are cognized, a topic indirectly related to inference.

• Analogy (Upamāna):

  • The section clarifies the Nyāya concept of analogy, where knowledge of an unfamiliar object is gained through its similarity to a familiar one, and examines Jayanta's criticism of the Mimāṁsā school's understanding of upamāna.

Chapter 2: Verbal Testimony, Validity, God, Word

This chapter focuses on the remaining key epistemological and ontological issues:

• Verbal Testimony (Śabda):
  • Nature of Verbal Testimony: The study begins with the Nyāyasūtra definition of verbal testimony: "the teaching of an authoritative person (āpta)". Shah details Jayanta's analysis of "teaching" (upadeśa) and "authoritative person" (āpta), including refutations of the Buddhist view that verbal testimony is a form of inference.
  • Validity of Cognition - Intrinsic or Extrinsic: This section delves into a major philosophical debate concerning whether the validity of knowledge is inherent (svataḥ pramāṇya) or derived from external factors (parataḥ pramāṇya). It presents and critiques the Mimāṁsā positions of Kumārila and Prabhākara, as well as Jayanta's counterarguments.
  • Existence of God: The author examines Jayanta's logical arguments for the existence of God, particularly in response to atheistic critiques. This section highlights Jayanta's defense of theistic doctrines, drawing on analogy and scriptural authority.
  • Eternity or Otherwise of a Word: The final section addresses the ontological question of whether words (and letters) are eternal or non-eternal, analyzing Jayanta's refutation of the Mimāṁsā doctrine of the eternality of words and exploring the intricate philosophical arguments surrounding the nature of language and sound.

Appendices:

The book includes two valuable appendices:

• Appendix I: Essentials of Dharmakirti's Theory of Knowledge: This appendix provides a focused study on the epistemological framework of Dharmakirti, a prominent Buddhist philosopher, offering insights into his views on perception, inference, and the nature of reality.
• Appendix II: Conception of Iśvara in the Early Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika School: This appendix traces the historical development of the concept of God within the early Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika philosophical systems, differentiating between the views of Kanāda, Gautama, Vātsyāyana, and Prasastapāda.

In essence, Nagin J. Shah's A Study of Jayanta Bhatta's Nyāyamañjarī - Part II offers a scholarly and impartial assessment of Jayanta Bhatta's contribution to Indian logic, illuminating the complex debates among the major schools of Indian philosophy during his time. The work is praised for its clarity, depth, and objective evaluation of diverse theories, making it a significant resource for scholars of Indian logic and philosophy.