The History of Why

Concept

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Reflection on the sign

Concept · 1 reading

In Uddyotakara’s account, reflection on the sign brings present perception together with a remembered connection. Recognizing this smoke as indicating fire still leaves a further question: what established the connection?

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1 reading · Title A–Z

  • Inference under challenge · Lesson 1 of 2

    Nyāya: what warrants an inference?

    Setting out a Nyāya inference in five parts does not establish its warrant: the sign must be connected to what it proves, in the right direction. A countercase can expose an additional condition without showing that the conclusion is false.

Study this in sequence

  • Inference under challenge

    What makes a sign a reason to believe something we cannot see? Follow selected Nyāya accounts and Dharmakīrti’s argument to examine the connection a sign needs, our grounds for relying on it and what a countercase can show.