According to Jain philosophy, which of the following is not a form of indirect…
2024
According to Jain philosophy, which of the following is not a form of indirect knowledge?
Answer: D. Naya — ConceptJain epistemology distinguishes pramāṇa, a means of comprehensive valid cognition, from naya, a partial standpoint used to express one aspect of a…
- A.
Smṛti
- B.
Pratyabhijñā
- C.
Tarka
- D.
Naya
Attempted by 2 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
Jain epistemology distinguishes pramāṇa, a means of comprehensive valid cognition, from naya, a partial standpoint used to express one aspect of a many-sided object. In the later systematic classification, parokṣa-pramāṇa (indirect knowledge) includes forms such as memory, recognition, hypothetical reasoning, inference, and testimony.
Application
Classify each offered term by its role in this framework:
Term | Role in Jain epistemology |
|---|---|
Smṛti | Memory or recollection, counted as a form of indirect cognition. |
Pratyabhijñā | Recognition that connects a present cognition with something known earlier, counted as indirect cognition. |
Tarka | Hypothetical or inductive reasoning used to establish a relation such as invariable concomitance, counted within indirect cognition. |
Naya | A partial standpoint or mode of expressing one aspect of an object, rather than a form of indirect cognition. |
Contrast
The three near-miss terms belong to the indirect-knowledge classification:
Smṛti recalls an object through a retained impression.
Pratyabhijñā recognizes an object by relating present awareness to earlier awareness.
Tarka supports knowledge by reasoning about a necessary relation.
Cross-check
Cross-check the category boundary: pramāṇa concerns a means of knowing, whereas naya concerns the standpoint from which a many-sided object is described. Therefore, Naya is the term that is not a form of indirect knowledge.