Given below are two statements: Statement I: The proposition “The hill has…
2023
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: The proposition “The hill has fire because it is knowable” commits the fallacy of the irregular middle.
Statement II: The proposition “Sound is eternal, because it is audible” commits the fallacy of the irregular middle.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Answer: A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct — ConceptIn Nyāya inference, a hetu (middle reason) must have invariable concomitance (vyāpti) with the sādhya to be proved. An irregular or inconclusive middle…
- A.
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
- B.
Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
- C.
Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
- D.
Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
In Nyāya inference, a hetu (middle reason) must have invariable concomitance (vyāpti) with the sādhya to be proved. An irregular or inconclusive middle (savyabhicāra/anaikāntika) deviates from that requirement: a common middle occurs in both supporting and contrary cases, while an uncommon middle is confined too narrowly to establish the relation.
Application
For Statement I, ‘knowable’ applies to fiery and non-fiery objects alike. It is therefore too widely distributed to establish fire on the hill, illustrating the common (sādhāraṇa) form of the irregular middle.
For Statement II, ‘audible’ is tied to sound itself and does not provide independent similar cases that establish a universal link with eternality. It illustrates the uncommon (asādhāraṇa) form of the irregular middle.
Cross-check and contrast
A valid hetu must support the sādhya through a non-deviating relation, not merely describe the subject.
‘Knowable’ is over-inclusive because it is found where fire is present and where fire is absent.
‘Audible’ is under-comparative because it remains confined to the subject class and supplies no independent positive instance for eternality.
Thus, both Statement I and Statement II correctly identify forms of the irregular middle.