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JAINA PHILOSOPHY: AN INTRODUCTION
Sankhyas maintain that a syllogism consists of three parts, viz., thesis, reason and example. The Mimāṁsakas assert four parts with the addition of application. The Naiyayikas assert five parts with the addition of conclusion. Such being the case, the question naturally arises: What is the proper form of a syllogism? The Jaina thinkers answer: 'The thesis and reason constitute a syllogism adequate for a knowledgeable person." In obligation to the pledge of edification of a pupil or any layman, the syllogism may have five propositions also, viz., thesis, reason, example, application and conclusion. As has been remarked by Bhadrabahu: 'The syllogism is said to consist of five parts or of ten parts in the alternative. We denounce neither but accept both as legitimate."2
Thesis :
Now, we set forth the definition of thesis that comes first in order. 'Thesis is the statement of the theme to be proved."3 It is called pratijñā or pakṣa. 'This hill is possessed of fire' is a typical illustration.
Reason:
The definition of reason is as follows: 'Statement of a probans ending in an inflexion (vibhakti) unfolding the character of probans is called reason." A particular type of statement unfolding the character of probans is known as reason. The inflexion is either the fifth or the third caseending in Sanskrit and such words as 'because' or 'since' prefixed to it in English. As for instance, (this hill is possessed of fire) 'because it has smoke' or 'smoke is impossible in its absence.' The existence of smoke is logically justifiable
1. Etävän prekṣaprayogaḥ -
Pramāṇa-mimāṁsā, II. 1.9.
2. Katthai pañcāvayavaṁ dasahā vā savvahā na paḍikuttham ti Daśavaikālika-niryukti, 50.
3. Sadhyanirdeśaḥ pratijñā -
Pramāṇa-mīmāmsā, II. 1. 11.
4. Sadhanatvābhivyañjakavibhaktyantaṁ sadhanavacanaṁ hetuḥ
Ibid., II. 1.12.
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