How to Study Indic Shaastras-1
Duration of Program
45 Hours
Code: VSF102
Credits: 2
L-T-P ratio: 1-0-1
Course designers: Prof V N Jha & Prof. Tilak Rao
Objectives
- To learn and practice in the modern context, India’s rigorous approach to logical reasoning, the art and science of debate, logic, analyzing statements, write and wrong inference, valid sources of knowledge, proof, logical fallacies, decision-making, critical thinking
Outcome
- Develop capability in analyzing thought by analyzing language
- Develop the art of reasoning and argumentation
- Develop rational thinking
- Develop the skill of debating
- Exposure to classical Indian intellectual, philosophical and spiritual culture
Beneficiaries:
Benefits any knowledge domain which involves logical reasoning, particularly professionals such as engineers, theoreticians, statisticians, journalists, psychologists,
lawyers, judges and researchers
Detailed syllabus:
Unit – 1: History of Indian logic:
- Introducing Indian logic
- Indian Logic : prācīna and Navya Nyaya
- The theory of evidence (Pramāṇa)
- Knowing Directly
- Knowing Indirectly
- Capturing the universe through language
- Communicating through language
Unit – 2: Indic approach to robust reasoning:
- Convincing oneself
- The five limbs of structured reasoning (convincing others – parārtha anumāna)
o Statement of the thesis (Pratijñā)
o Statement of reason or evidence (Hetu)
o Example (Udāharaṇa)
o Confirmatory sentence/Applicatory sentence (Upanaya)
o Conclusion (Nigamana) - The triple nature of a sound reason or evidence (Hetu)
o Invariable Concomitance (Vyāpti)
o Wheel of reasoning (Hetucakra) - The five types of pseudo-reason or pseudo-evidence (Hetvābhāsa)
o The deviation (savyabhicāra)
o The adverse (viruddha)
o The unestablished or unproven (asiddha)
o The counter balanced (satpratipakṣa)
o The contradicted (bādhita) - The supportive arguments (Tarka)
- Decision-making
Unit – 3: Nature and form of a debate:
- Preparation for a debate
- The three types of debate; Vāda (An honest debate), Jalpa (Wrangling) and Vitaṇḍā (Cavil)
o Rules of Disqualification in a Debate: The 22 defeat situations (Nigraha-sthāna) - Rules of debate
- False rejoinders (Jāti)
- Putting forth a contrary argument by using a term willfully in an ambiguous sense (Chala)
- The good qualities of a debater; learning, knowledge, memory, talent or imaginative power, and power to deliver a speech
- Weak points of a debater; anger, lack of equanimity, fear, lack of memory, and inattention
Suggested activities:
- Debate on a topic: presenting and refuting arguments
- Word economy: less words; more substance.
Practicals:
- Identifying the limbs of structured reasoning in articles and debates
- Analyzing modern articles and debates with Indic concepts.
Course evaluation methodology:
- Surprise quiz – 15%, Class Participation – 5%, Assignment – 30%, Practical – 50%
References:
- Basu, B. D. (1913) [Edited]., The Nyaya Sutras of Gotama. Sudhindranatha Vasu, Allahabad. (The Sacred Books of The Hindus, VOL. VIII)
- Matilal, B. K. (1998). The Character of Logic in India. Suny Press, NY.
- Jha, V. N. (2010). Tarkasangraha of Annambhatta. Chinmaya International Foundation Shodha Sansthan, Kerala
