________________
C. J.
Reasoning.
arrive at universal truths by means of Inference (1). It is important note to here that J. S. Mill bases his theory of reason- Theory. ing on universal propositions. But are these axioms themselves proved? No, reasoning assumes them-they being mere generalisations from facts of experience. But this cannot yield absolute certainty.
(d) Nor Testimony can prove it. For the validity and truth of Testimony depends on Inference. Moveover Testimony itself depends on a middle term ( लिङ्ग or हेतु ) in another sense viz. the language used; in as much as the meaning of the language used and its correspondence with reality is always uncertain. To illustrate the import,
Mill's
of
Nor can
Testimony
establish it.
For Testi
to
itself depend on Inference.
we have the communication of the old man with the child, neither understanding mony has the other's language. Hence absolute certainty can never be founded on authority, we cannot accept the ipse dexit of Manu even. And if Testimony could convey universal truth, yet there could be no knowledge of universals to one who had not himself received the testimony of one already in the know of them. But where is
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