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Hence we are to conclude that inference is neither inconclusive nor a petitio principii, since it gives us a new knowledge.1
GROUNDS OF INFERENCE
3. The psychological ground of inference (pakṣatā)
2
Just as inference depends on the knowledge of yāpti or a universal relation between the middle and major terms, so it depends on the relation of the middle term with the minor term. In inference the minor term becomes related to the major through its relation to the middle term Every inference proceeds with regard to some object about which we want to establish something on the ground of a vyāpti or a universal proposition Hence the minor term is as much necessary for inference as the middle term The minor term being called pakṣa in Indian logic, paksata is treated as a necessary condition of inference If there is to be any inference, there must be a paksa or a minor term Hence the question is Under what conditions do we get the minor term of an inference? Or, under what conditions do we draw inference with regard to anything? While the validity of inference depends on vyapti, its possibility depends on pakṣata. Inference takes place when there is a pakṣa or subject of inference, it becomes valid when based on vyāpti or a universal relation between the middle and the major term. Hence while vyapti is the logical ground of inference, pakṣatā is its psychological ground or condition.
From the fact that the minor term is an object about which we want to infer something, it will appear that the two obvious conditions of a minor term are the absence of certainty about something (siddhyabhava) and the will to
1 TB, p 11, TC, II, pp 290-91
2 Anumanasya dve ange vyaptıh pakṣadharmata ca, etc parvatadivittit vain pakşadharmată, TS, p 46
TB,
3, p 11 Vyapyasy
