Who among the following classical Indian philosophers could be credited with such reasoning?
Understanding Reasoning by Exclusion
The question describes a method of understanding the meaning of a word, like 'table', by distinguishing it from everything else in the universe of discourse. This process involves identifying what a concept *is not* to understand what it *is*.
Identifying the Philosopher: Diṅnāga
This reasoning aligns directly with the Buddhist philosopher Diṅnāga (circa 5th century CE) and his influential theory of apoha (meaning 'exclusion' or 'negation').
- Apoha Theory: Diṅnāga argued that concepts and words derive their meaning not by directly pointing to an object, but by excluding all other concepts. For example, the concept 'cow' is understood by excluding 'non-cow'.
- Universe of Discourse: The principle implies that when we hear 'table', we mentally filter out everything else (chairs, lamps, universe, etc.) until we isolate the meaning associated with 'table'.
Comparing with Other Philosophers
- Mallisena (Jainism): Known for Syādvāda, focusing on conditionality and multiple perspectives, not primarily exclusion for defining meaning.
- Kaṇāda (Vaiśeṣika): Focused on metaphysics and categories (*padārtha*), with epistemology based on perception and inference.
- Jayarāśi (Cārvāka): Known for skepticism, particularly rejecting inference as a valid means of knowledge.
Therefore, Diṅnāga is the philosopher credited with this reasoning based on the principle of exclusion for understanding meaning.
Important Questions from Analytical Reasoning Drawing Reasonable Inferences from Passages
- Suppose, your last year taxable income was Rs. 22000. Due to hike in salary, your taxable income this year is Rs. 34200. The details for tax calculation are given in the table below.Consider the appropriate tax slab corresponding to your income. What is the additional amount of tax you need to pay this year compared to last year?
Income range (Rs.) Tax slab (Rs.) 0 to 5000 2% of income Greater than 5000 to 10000 100 + 3% of income over 5000 Greater than 10000 to 20000 250 + 5% of income over 10000 Greater than 20000 to 30000 750 + 8% of income over 20000 Greater than 30000 to 50000 1550 + 10% of income over 30000 Greater than 50000 to 100000 3550 + 20% of income over 50000 Identify the title of the poem in which the following lines appear:
"He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be
One against whom there was no official complaint,
And all the reports on his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a saint
For in everything he did he served the greater community."
- In Plato's idea of the Republic there is no place for the _________.
- Which of the following novels by Chinua Achebe derives its title from W. B. Yeats's poem “The Second Coming"?
- Identify the commonality shared by the authors of Mansfield Park and Middle March:
