Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): As per classical Indian school of logic the argument 'the sky-Lotus is fragrant, because it is a Lotus, like the Lotus of a Lake' is fallacious. Reason (R): In the above argument the middle term is non exclusive. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Fallacy Analysis of Sky-Lotus Argument (A)
The Assertion (A) correctly states that the argument, "the sky-Lotus is fragrant, because it is a Lotus, like the Lotus of a Lake", is fallacious according to the classical Indian school of logic.
Classical Indian logic (like the Nyaya school) requires the subject of inference (paksha) to be real. The term "sky-Lotus" denotes an unreal or imaginary entity. Inferring a property like 'fragrant' (sadhya) based on the middle term 'Lotus' (sadhana) applied to an unreal subject is fundamentally flawed. The logic demands that the middle term be properly related to a real subject.
Therefore, Assertion (A) is correct.
Middle Term Explanation (R) Evaluation
The Reason (R) claims the fallacy arises because the middle term ("Lotus") is non-exclusive. A non-exclusive middle term fails to establish a necessary connection between the subject and the predicate. For example, if fragrance is not exclusively associated with lotuses, or if not all lotuses are fragrant, the middle term could be considered non-exclusive.
However, the primary reason this specific argument is fallacious is the unreal nature of the "sky-Lotus" itself, making the application of the middle term problematic. While the middle term "Lotus" might exhibit non-exclusivity in a general sense, this is not the specific or fundamental reason for the fallacy in *this* argument concerning an unreal entity. The core issue lies with the subject, not solely with the non-exclusivity of the middle term.
Therefore, Reason (R) is not the correct explanation for the fallacy.
Final Answer Determination
Based on the analysis:
- Assertion (A) is correct.
- Reason (R) is incorrect as the explanation.
This aligns with Option C.
Important Questions from Indian Logic
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: According to Classical Indian Logicians (Naiyāyikas) the inference from the effect of the cause is called Purvāvāt.
Statement II: According to Naiyāyikas the inference of cause from the effect is not possible.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Given below are two statements : One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A) : The Naiya̅yikas did not give separate treatment of the inductive methods, as the western logicians have done.
Reasons (R) : According to Nya̅ya school universal propostions are obtained from perception itself by one of the forms of extra-ordinary perception.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
According to the classical Indian School of Logic which of the following steps of inference involve the application of the universal concomitance to the present case?
(A) This hill has a fire
(B) Because it has smoke
(C) Whatever has smoke has fire, e.g. an oven
(D) This hill has smoke which is invariably associated with fire
(E) Therefore the hill has a fire
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Given below are two statements
Statement I: According to Classical Indian School of Logic, the method of induction is used to affirm the major premise, since generality or universality cannot be perceived.
Statement II: Classical Indian Logicians give separate treatment of the inductive method.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below
Which of the following are admitted by the Naiyayikas (Indian Logicians) as kinds of Inferences?
(A) Inference of the effect from the cause
(B) Inference of the cause from the effect
(C) Inference from knowledge of similarity between two kinds of objects
(D) Inference from observation for general inseparability
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
