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The Nyaya theory of Knowledge

by Satischandra Chatterjee | 1939 | 127,980 words

Hinduism Hindu Philosophy Nyaya

Summary: This essay studies the Nyaya theory of Knowledge and examines the contributions of the this system to Indian and Western philosophy, specifically focusing on its epistemology. Nyaya represents a realist approach, providing a critical evaluation of knowledge. The thesis explores the Nyaya's classification of valid knowledge sources: perception, inference, comparison, and testimony, and their role in developing a systematic realistic philosophy.

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Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the The Nyaya theory of Knowledge in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book鈥檚 content by visiting the pages in the below index:

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Preface to the First Edition

Preface to the Second Edition

Chapter 1 - Introduction

+ Book 1 - The method of Valid Knowledge (Pramana)

+ Chapter 2 - The nature and forms of Knowledge

. Part 1 - Definition of Knowledge (buddhi)

. Part 2 - Classification of Knowledge (buddhi)

. Part 3 - Memory and Dream Memory (smriti)

. Part 4 - The concept of Doubt (samsaya)

. Part 5 - The concept of Error (viparyyaya) (or bhrama)

. Part 6 - Theories of Illusion in Indian Philosophy

. Part 7 - Hypothetical Argument (tarka)

+ Chapter 3 - Valid Knowledge and its method (Prama and Pramana)

. Part 1 - Definition of Prama or Valid Knowledge

. Part 2 - Definition of Pramana or the Method of Knowledge

. Part 3 - Nyaya Criticism of the Bauddha Views of Pramana

. Part 4 - Nyaya criticism of the Mimamsa and Sankhya views

+ Chapter 4 - The factors of Valid Knowledge (Prama)

. Part 1 - The subject, object and method of valid knowledge

. Part 2 - Distinction of the method from the subject and object of valid knowledge

+ Chapter 5 - The test of Truth and Error

. Part 1 - The problems and alternative solutions

. Part 2 - The Nyaya theory of extrinsic validity and invalidity

. Part 3 - Objections to the theory answered by the Nyaya

. Part 4 - Criticism of the Sankhya view of intrinsic validity and invalidity

. Part 5 - Criticism of the Bauddha theory of intrinsic invalidity and extrinsic validity

. Part 6 - Criticism of the Mimamsa theory of intrinsic validity and extrinsic invalidity

. Part 7 - Indian and Western theories of truth

+ Book 2 - Perception as a method of Knowledge (Pratyaksa-Pramana)

+ Chapter 6 - The definition of Perception

. Part 1 - Primacy of Perception over other Methods of Knowledge

. Part 2 - The Buddhist definition of perception

. Part 3 - The Jaina, Prabhakara and Vedanta definitions of Perception

. Part 4 - The Nyaya definitions of perception

+ Chapter 7 - The psychology of Perception

. Part 1 - The concept of the Senses (indriya)

. Part 2 - Function of the Senses (indriya)

. Part 3 - The nature and function of the Mind (manas)

. Part 4 - The Self (atma) and its function in perception

+ Chapter 8 - Ordinary Perception and its objects

. Part 1 - Different kinds of Perception and the categories of Reality (Padartha)

. Part 2 - Perception of substances or things (dravya)

. Part 3 - Perception of attributes (guna) and actions (karma)

. Part 4 - The Universal Particularity and the relation of Inherence (samavaya)

. Part 5 - Perception of non-existence (abhava)

. Part 6 - Internal perception and its objects

+ Chapter 9 - Three modes of ordinary perception

. Part 1 - Nirvikalpaka and Savikalpaka perception

. Part 2 - Recognition (pratyabhijna) as a mode of Perception

+ Chapter 10 - Extraordinary Perception (alaukika-pratyaksa)

. Part 1 - Samanyalaksana or the Perception of Classes

. Part 2 - Jnanalaksana or Acquired Perception

. Part 3 - Yogaja or Intuitive Perception

+ Book 3 - The theory of Inference (anumana-pramana)

+ Chapter 11 - The nature of Inference (anumana-pramana)

. Part 1 - Definition of Anumana or Inference

. Part 2 - Distinction between perception and inference

. Part 3 - The Constituents of Inference

+ Chapter 12 - The grounds of Inference (anumana)

. Part 1 - The logical ground of Vyapti or Universal Relation

. Part 2 - The question of petitio principii in Inference (anumana)

. Part 3 - The psychological ground of Inference (paksata)

. Part 4 - Lingaparamarsa as the immediate cause of inference

+ Chapter 13 - Classification and logical forms of Inference (anumana)

. Part 1 - Svartha and Parartha inferences

. Part 2 - Purvavat, Sesavat and Samanyatodrsta inferences

. Part 3 - Kevalanvayi, Kevala-vyatireki and Anvaya-vyatireki Inferences

. Part 4 - The Logical Form of Inference (anumana)

+ Chapter 14 - The Fallacies of Inference (anumana)

. Part 1 - Distinction between a valid and an invalid reason

. Part 2 - The fallacy of Savyabhicara or the Irregular Middle

. Part 3 - The fallacy of Viruddha or the Contradictory Middle

. Part 4 - The fallacy of Prakarana-sama or the Counteracted Middle

. Part 5 - The fallacy of Asiddha or the Unproved Middle

. Part 6 - The fallacies of Kalatita and Badhita

. Part 7 - The fallacies of Chala, Jati and Nigrahasthana

+ Book 4 - Upamana or Comparison

+ Chapter 15 - The nature and forms or Upamana (comparison)

. Part 1 - The Nyaya definition of Upamana (comparison)

. Part 2 - The Jaina, Mimamsa and Vedanta views of Upamana (comparison)

. Part 3 - The classification of Upamana (comparison)

+ Chapter 16 - Upamana as an independent source of Knowledge (pramana)

. Part 1 - Can Ipamana give us any Valid Knowledge?

. Part 2 - Can Upamana be reduced to any other Pramana?

. Part 3 - Conclusion of Fourth book

+ Book 5 - Sabda or Testimony

+ Chapter 17 - The nature and classification of Sabda (testimony)

. Part 1 - The Nyaya definition of Sabda (testimony) and its different kinds

. Part 2 - Other systems on the nature and forms of Sabda (testimony)

+ Chapter 18 - The nature and classification of Words (pada)

. Part 1 - The concept of Sounds and Words (pada)

. Part 2 - Words (pada) and their meanings

. Part 3 - The import of Words (pada)

. Part 4 - The unity of Words (pada) and the hypothesis of Sphota

+ Chapter 19 - The nature and classification of Sentences (vakya)

. Part 1 - The construction of a Sentence (vakya)

. Part 2 - The meaning of a Sentence (vakya)

. Part 3 - The import of Sentences (vakya)

. Part 4 - Sabda as an independent source of Knowledge

+ Chapter 20 - Other sources of Knowledge

. Part 1 - Different views about the ultimate sources of Knowledge

. Part 2 - Arthapatti or postulation as a source of Knowledge

. Part 3 - Abhava and Anupalabdhi as sources of Knowledge

. Part 4 - Smriti or memory as a distinct source of Knowledge

. Part 5 - Summary and general estimate of Nyaya Epistemology

Index

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Last Updated: 28 January, 2025

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