Present an exposition of Nyāya-Vaiśeșika's theory of causation.
The Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika schools' theory of causation is known as Asatkāryavāda – the doctrine that the effect is non-existent in the cause prior to its production. Unlike Sāṃkhya, they believe the effect is a new creation, distinct from its cause. For example, a pot is a new entity, not merely an explicit manifestation of clay.
They classify causes into three types:
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Samavāyi Kāraṇa (Inherent/Material Cause): That in which the effect inheres. It is the material substrate. E.g., the clay for a pot, threads for a cloth. The effect cannot exist without it.
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Asamavāyi Kāraṇa (Non-inherent Cause): That which inheres in the material cause and gives rise to the effect, or is conjoined with it. E.g., the conjunction of threads (for a cloth); the color of the threads (for the color of the cloth).
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Nimitta Kāraṇa (Efficient/Instrumental Cause): External factors that facilitate production. E.g., the potter, potter's wheel, and stick for a pot.
This theory provides a robust, pluralistic, and realistic account of how new entities come into being.
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