Anumana
Sanskrit: अनुमानTransliteration: Anumāna (IAST)
Translation: “inference”
A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy
Translation: "inference; syllogism; instrument of inference (from the verb root mā – “to measure, prepare, display” + anu – “along, after”)"
Definition:
Reference:
Translation: "inference; syllogism; instrument of inference (from the verb root mā – “to measure, prepare, display” + anu – “along, after”)"
Definition:
- Literally it means “after-knowledge,” that is, knowledge which “follows other knowledge.” Inferential knowledge is knowledge that results through the instrumentation of some other knowledge (Jñāna-Karaṇaka-Jñānam).
- It is the efficient instrument of inferential cognition.
- It is divided into knowledge for others (Parārtha) and knowledge for oneself (Svārtha), due to distinctions according to purpose; or it is divided into Parvavat, Śeṣavat, and Sāmānyatodṛṣṭa, due to distinctions according to the kinds of relation (Vyapti); or it is divided into Kevalānvayi, Kevala-Vyatireki, and Anvaya-Vyatireki, due to distinctions according to the establishment of the Vyāpti.
- Nyāya claims there are five members of a syllogism: thesis (Pratijñā), reason (Hetu), exemplification (Udāharaṇa), subsumptive correlation (Upanaya), and the conclusion (Nigamana).
- Mīmāṃsā claims there are needed only three members in a syllogism and they may be comprised of the Pratijñā, Hetu, and Udāharaṇa or of the Udāharaṇa, Upanaya, and Nigamana.
- Buddhism claims that only two members of a syllogism are necessary: the Udāharaṇa and Upanaya.
- There are five conditions to be fulfilled in a valid inference: the reason must be present in the minor term: the reason must be found wherever the major term is found; the reason must not be found wherever the major term is not found; the reason must not be related to something absurd; and the reason must not be contradicted by an equally strong middle term.
- Some old Naiyāyikas claimed there were ten members of an inference: desire to know the truth (Jijñāsā), doubt about the real nature of a thing (Saṃśaya), capacity of the Pramāṇa to lead to true knowledge (Śakyaprāpti), the purpose of making an inference (Prayojana), removal of all doubts about the truth of an inference (Saṃśaya-Vyudāsa), thesis (Pratijñā), reason (Hetu), example (Udāharaṇa), application of the example (Upanaya), and the final conclusion (Nigamana).
Reference:
- Grimes, John (1996). A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy: Sanskrit Terms Defined in English. Albany: State University of New York Press
