Nyayavatara

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Sanskrit Book Depot P Ltd

Page 20

(xx)
- Here the reason alleged is opposed to what is to be established.
(3) The uncertain (anaikäntika). “Sound is eternal, because it is always audible."
Here the reason or middle term is uncertain, because audibleness may or may not be a proof of eternity.
10. Fallacies of homogenous examples The Fallacy of example (dịştāntābhāsa) may arise in the homogeneous or heterogeneous form, from a defect in the middle term (hetu) or major term (sādhya) or both, or from doubt about them.
Fallacies of the homogeneous example (sādharmya-drșțāntā bhāsa) are follows :
(1) Inference is invalid (major term), because it is a source of knowledge (middle term), like perception (homogeneous example).
Here the example involves a defect in the major term (sādhya), for perception is not invalid.
(2) Perception is invalid (major term), because it is a source of valid knowledge (middle term), like a dream (homogeneous example).
Here the example involves a defect in the middle term (hetu) for the dream is not a source of valid knowledge.
(3) The omniscient being is not existent (major term), because he is not apprehended by the senses (middle term), like a jar (homogeneous example).
Here the example involves a defect in both the major and middle terms (sādhya and hetu), for the jar is both existent and apprehended by the senses.
(4) This person is devoid of passions (major term), because he is mortal (middle term), like the man in the street (homogeneous example).
Here the example involves doubt as to the validity of the major term, for it is doubtful whether the man in the street is devoid of passions.
(5) This person is mortal (major term), because he is full of passions (middle term), like the man in the street (homogeneous example).
Here the example involves doubt as to the validity of the middle term, for it is doubtful whether the man in the street is devoid of passions.
(6) This person is non-omniscient (major term), because he is full of passions (middle term), like the man in the street (homogeneous example).