Description
Book SynopsisInduction is a basic method of scientific and philosophical inquiry. The work seeks to show against the skeptical tide that the method is secure and reliable. The problem of induction has been a hotly debated issue in modern and contemporary philosophy since David Hume. However, long before the modern era Indian philosophers have addressed this problem for about two thousand years. This work examines some major Indian viewpoints including those of Jayarasi (7th century), Dharmakirti (7th century), Prabhakara (8th century), Udayana (11th century) and Prabhacandra (14th century). It also discusses some influential contemporary positions including those of Russell, Strawson, Popper, Reichenbach, Carnap, Goodman and Quine. The main focus is on the Nyaya view developed by Gangesa (13th century). A substantial part of the work is devoted to annotated translation of selected chapters from Gangesa''s work dealing with the problem of induction with copious references to the later Nyaya philosop
Trade ReviewOne of the primary virtues of this book is its thoughtful organization. . . [T]his volume is accessible to those unfamiliar with classical Indian epistemology (pramāṇa-śāstra) and will be a tremendous resource to specialists and nonspecialists alike. * Philosophy East and West *
Chakrabarti demonstrates convincingly that Indian philosophical analyses of induction out-distance and often chronologically anticipate Western treatments. Furthermore, he shows that the problem of the justification of induction is more satisfactorily solved in Indian than in contemporary analytic philosophy. -- Karl H. Potter, University of Washington
This is an erudite philosophical exploration of Nyaya logic and epistemology, with special attention to Nyaya theories of induction. This volume will be essential reading for anyone interested in classical Indian philosophy, but also for those who care about the continued vitality of the Nyaya school and the relevance of the Indian tradition to contemporary philosophical problems. -- Jay Garfield, Smith College
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgements and Abbreviations Chapter 3 1. The Problem of Induction: East and West Chapter 4 2. The Later Nyaya Solution Chapter 5 3. The Method of Generalization (Vyaptigrahopayah) Chapter 6 4. Counterfactual Reasoning (Tarkah) Chapter 7 5. Universal Based Extraordinary Perception (Samanyalaksanapratyaksa) Chapter 8 6. Earlier Views of Adjuncts (Upadhivadah) Chapter 9 7. The Accepted View of Adjuncts (Upadhivadasiddhantah Chapter 10 8. Classification of Adjuncts (Upadhivibhagah) Chapter 11 9. Sriharsa's Khandanakhandakhndyam on Pervasion Chapter 12 10. Selected Passages from Prabhacandra'sPrameyakamalamartanda on Critique of Pervasion and Inference Chapter 13 11. Selections from Dharmakirti's Nyayabindu on Non-Perception as a Probans Chapter 14 Selected Bibliography
