Materials for the Study of Navya-Nyaya Logic

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From the Jacket

This volume of the Harvard Oriental Series introduces the inquisitive reader to the mosaic of Navya-nyaya, one of the most highly developed schools in Indian thought system that took shape in the thirteenth century AD. The adherents of this school, known as Naiyayikas, moved with equal ease in the intricacies of all disciplines - epistemology, physics, grammar, etc. - but their distinctive contribution lay in the field of logic in which 'they created a new style and method.'

In the words of the author: 'The metaphysical basis of Navya-nyaya is realistic, yet its logic is formal....' And further: 'There are a number of points where Navya-nyaya appears definitely superior to Aristotelian logic...In its concept of number it seems to anticipate mathematical logic by several centuries.' 

The discussion begins with biographical notes of intellectual stalwarts who founded and shaped the school. This is followed by an examination of some theories and techniques applied by the adepts in the 'new style and method' of logical argumentation. The focus is then turned on Vyapti-pancaka of Gangesa, the foundation father of the school; on Mathuranatha's commentary on it; and on extracts from Didhiti of Raghunatha, the most brilliant among all Naiyayikas, who led and established the radical wing of the school. Exhaustive works of reference, and both Sanskrit and English indexes enrich the text.

The volume is reprinted after thirty-six years of its first publication in 1951.

About the Author

Daniel H.H. Ingalls (b. 1916, USA) represents the best tradition of Harvard oriental scholarship. After obtaining his Master's Degree from Harvard University (1938), he attended the Sanskrit Research Institute of Calcutta (1941-2), where he studied Navya-nyaya under Mahamahopadhyaya Kalipada Tarkacharya. He started his career in the Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies of Harvard University as Assistant Professor (1948-52). He became Associate Professor (1952-6), Wales Professor of Sanskrit and then Chairman of the Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies (1956-83). He filled the office of Editor, Harvard Oriental Series (1956-83).

Professor Ingalls is a Trustee of Harvard - Yenching Institute. He is also a member of the American Oriental Society and American Oriental Society and American Philosophical Society. His works include the following translations of poems from Sanskrit originals: An Anthology of Sanskrit Court Poetry: Vidyakara's Subhasitaratnakosa (1965), and Sanskrit Poetry from Vidyakara's Treasury (1969).

Contents:

Introduction 

I. Biographical Notes 

II. An Examination of Some Theories and Techniques of Navya-Nyaya Logic 

III. Gangesa's Vyapti-pancaka 

IV. Mathuranatha's Vyapti-pancaka-rahasya, Being His Commentary on Gangesa's Vyapti-pancaka 

V. Extract from Raghunatha's Didhiti of the Section Commenting on Gangesa's Vyapti-pancaka 

Works of Reference

Sanskrit Index

English Index

Index of Inferences