Nyaya And Jaina Epistemology

Author(s): Kokila H Shah
Publisher: Sharadaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre

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3. Intuitive perception
NYAYA AND JAINA EPISTEMOLOGY
yogaja.
1. The perception of Classes
It is the general perception of the common features or class of individuals. It can be called the perception of universal on the basis of class-concept. Nyāya realism recognizes universals as distinct class of reals. Ordinarily we have the knowledge of particulars alone and not universals but when a particular object is perceived, we first perceive the universal which inheres in particular. Some of the later Nyaya philosophers suggest that by this kind of perception, we can arrive at the universal proposition in inference and can explain negative judgements of perception. It is knowledge through the class-essence, definition. This kind of perception is obviously different from ordinary kind of perception and here it is classified as an extraordinary form of perception.
2. Acquired Perception
It is a 'complicated' perception through association where different percepts become associated and form one integrated perception, e. g. seeing sandlewood at a distance, we come to know its fragrance, though its fragrance is not ordinarily perceived due to distance. It is still cognized immediately. There is extraordinary contact between sense and the object which is in the form of past experience. There is past experience of fragrance which is revived in memory since it is associated with the visual appearance of sandlewood, the present visual perception of fragrance is brought about. Thus, here, some past experience serves as a contact between sense organ and the object perceived.