Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other…
2023
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
Assertion A: The argument that sound is eternal because it is produced, is fallacious.
Reason R: In the argument—‘sound is eternal because it is produced’—the middle term is contradicted by some other pramāṇa and not by inference.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: C. A is true but R is false — ConceptIn Nyāya inference, a valid hetu must support the sādhya through an invariable relation (vyāpti); a hetu that establishes the absence of the sādhya is…
- A.
Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.
Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.
A is true but R is false
- D.
A is false but R is true
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
In Nyāya inference, a valid hetu must support the sādhya through an invariable relation (vyāpti); a hetu that establishes the absence of the sādhya is viruddha.
Bādhita is different: there the proposed conclusion is defeated non-inferentially by another stronger pramāṇa, such as perception.
Application
Here the sādhya is eternality and the hetu is being produced.
Being produced is pervaded by non-eternality, so the hetu itself establishes the opposite of the proposed conclusion.
The argument is therefore fallacious as a case of viruddha; the assertion is true.
The reason describes bādhita instead, so it is false for this argument.
Cross-check and contrast
The two ‘both true’ responses require the reason’s non-inferential-pramāṇa account to be true.
The ‘A false, R true’ response denies the fallacy while accepting that same bādhita account.
Viruddha and bādhita are distinct: the former is defeated by the hetu’s own implication, whereas the latter is defeated by another pramāṇa.
Thus A is true and R is false.