Indian Logic: The Study of Reasoning and Argumentation

The Nyaya Sutras, written by Akshapada Gautama, is the foundational text of the Nyaya school of Indian logic.

The Nyaya school primarily focuses on epistemology, which is the study of knowledge and how we acquire it.

Pramana, or means of knowledge, is a key concept in Nyaya logic and refers to the various ways in which we can acquire valid knowledge.

The Nyaya school recognizes four Pramanas: Perception, Inference, Comparison, and Testimony.

Anumana is the term for inference in Nyaya logic and refers to the process of deriving a conclusion from evidence.

Purvavat is a type of Anumana in Nyaya logic that involves inferring a conclusion based on a previous observation or experience.

Vyapti is the term for the major premise in an Anumana and refers to the general rule or connection between two things.

Hetvabhasa is a type of fallacy in Nyaya logic that occurs when the reason or evidence given for a conclusion is flawed or invalid.

Paksha is the term for the minor premise in an Anumana and refers to the specific instance or case to which the general rule is applied.

Shabda is a type of Pramana in Nyaya logic that involves relying on the testimony of experts or authorities as a source of knowledge.

Sadhya is the term for the conclusion in an Anumana and refers to the proposition that is being proven or established.

Anaikantika is a type of fallacy in Nyaya logic that occurs when the conclusion is not logically connected to the premises and there are other possible explanations for the evidence.

Dharmata is the term for the middle term in an Anumana and refers to the property or characteristic that connects the major and minor premises.

Pratyaksha is a type of Pramana in Nyaya logic that involves direct perception of an object through the senses.

Upamana is the term for the process of comparing two things to establish their similarity or difference and is considered a type of Pramana in Nyaya logic.