Indian Logic Forum

Plamen · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:01 pm Post subject: Nyaya Theory of Error

This topical discussion is preceded by an Introduction to the Nyaya theory of error excerpted from the book of Dr. B. Kar, Indian Theories of Error.

* * *

The theory of Anyathakhyati, though widely known to be the doctrine held by the Naiyayikas, is often said to be acceptable of some Jainas, and some Mimamsakas. Dr. Dasgupta refers to an account of Jaina theory of error which he names as Satkhyati; but the explanation of the said doctrine as given by Dr. Dasgupta very closely resembles the theory of Anyathakhyati. The later Samkhya theory of Sadasatkhyati is very often (as pointed out earlier) compared with Viparitakhyati. The Naiyayika authority like Udayana does not distinguish between Vipariakhyati and Anyathakhyati. But as we havementipnediin the previous chapter, there are some who distinguish these two theories of error.

The Nyaya account of error has been expounded by a galaxy of thinkers beginning with Gautama (about 3rd century BC). Of course, Gautama has not explicitly mentioned the term 'Anyathakhyati' anywhere in his sutra. But there are references about wrong judgements. His sutras are commented by Vat-syayana (AD 300). Uddyotakara (AD 635) defends Vatsyayana-bhasya in his Varttika. Both of them, however, discuss and differentiate wrong judgements from the right ones in detail. The term 'Anyathakhyati' perhaps first occurs in Vacaspati's Nyaya-Varttika-Tatparyatika, a gloss on Uddyotakara's Varttika. Tatparyatika of Vacaspati is again commented by Udayanacarya (about 10th century AD) in his Parisuddhi. "Tradition ascribes to Udayanacarya the first conception of the idea of uniting the two sister systems of Nyaya and Vaisesika into one harmonious whole."

However, the first known work which elaborately combines the two systems is Saptapadarthi of Sivaditya Misra which is again followed by similar works вЂ” Kesava Misra's Tarka-Bhasa, Annambhatta's Tarka-Samgraha, etc. All these works, more or less, adhere to the classical account of Anyathakhyati. A departure from the classical account of error and knowledge comes from Gangesa (about 1200 AD), the author of Tattva-Cintamani and the founder of Navya-Nyaya school. There are many followers and commentators of Gangesa headed by Raghunatha Tarka-Siromani (writer of Didhiti).

Bijayananda Kar, Indian Theories of Error. (Ed. P. Gradinarov.) Delhi: Ajanta Books International, 1990, pp. 54-67.

To download the whole article, please register. When logged in, you will see the link just beneath this line.