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 as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): According to classical Indian view of logic the argument 'Fire is cold, because it is a substance' is fallacious.
Reason (R): As per classical Indian view of logic the argument 'Fire is cold, because it is a substance' involves a middle term that is not exclusive.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
Answer: C. A is true but R is false — ConceptIn classical Nyāya inference, bādhita is a fallacy in which a stronger means of knowledge (pramāṇa), such as direct perception, defeats the proposed…
- 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 classical Nyāya inference, bādhita is a fallacy in which a stronger means of knowledge (pramāṇa), such as direct perception, defeats the proposed conclusion (sādhya).
This differs from savyabhicāra, the irregular-middle fallacy, which is diagnosed from the middle term (hetu) lacking invariable concomitance (vyāpti) with the sādhya.
Application
The proposed conclusion is that fire is cold, while the given middle term is “substance.”
Direct perception establishes that fire is hot, so a stronger pramāṇa contradicts the proposed coldness before the inference can establish it.
The standard classification of this example is therefore bādhita, not the non-exclusive or irregular-middle diagnosis stated in R.
The NTA December 2023 final answer key for Question ID 2274276730 records the response “A is true but R is false”; for this PYQ, that official classification is canonical.
Contrast
“Both A and R are true and R explains A” assigns the example to a non-exclusive middle rather than to bādhita.
“Both A and R are true but R does not explain A” still treats the stated non-exclusive-middle diagnosis as true.
“A is true but R is false” preserves the valid fallacy claim while rejecting the misclassification in R.
“A is false but R is true” denies the fallacy even though direct perception defeats the proposed conclusion.
Cross-check
Use the stronger-knowledge test: perception gives “fire is hot,” which contradicts “fire is cold.” The inference is therefore bādhita, while R names a different defect.
A broad range-based analysis can notice that “substance” is not limited to cold things, but the official PYQ convention treats this textbook example by its stronger perceptual contradiction.
Result
Therefore, A is true but R is false.