Nyaya (orthodox)

Question 1

What conception of Self does Nyaya philosophy accept

Answer 1

the Brahmanical conception of self, specifically Vaisesika, ->
the self is a substanse where qualities (gunas) inhere

Question 2

what three arguments does Nyaya put forward for the existence of a self

Answer 2

inferential markers argument

cross-modal sense perception argument

New-born’s inherence argument

Question 3

Explain the inferential markers argument

Answer 3

we have responses such as desire or aversion to objects as we recognise them from past experiences
- eating a lemon - aversion exampl e= ‘single observer’

Question 4

explain the cross-modality argument

Answer 4

there is a self separate form sense organs which collates the data from different sense organs as one

Question 5

explain the new-born’s Inherence argument

Answer 5

new borns have appropriate reactions to new experiences = must be from past lives experiences.

Question 6

what would a Buddhist response to Nyaya’s conception of self be?

Answer 6

There is no need to posit a self as a substratum. What you call the “self” is just a stream of momentary mental and physical events (dharma-santāna). Cognition arises due to causal conditions, not because it belongs to a permanent self.

There is no need for a permanent self to explain karma or rebirth. What continues is a causal stream of mental and karmic energy, not a soul.

Question 7

Why does Nyāya need to infer the existence of the self?

Answer 7

Because we can’t directly experience it

Question 8

For Nyaya what is valid knowledge?

Answer 8

knowledge that corresponds to reality (Pramanas)

Question 9

what are the four pramanas and define each

Answer 9

Perception (pratyakṣa)
inference
Comparison
Testimony

Question 10

what is the perception pramana

Answer 10

direct sensory experience (seeing a tree)

Question 11

What is the inference pramana

Answer 11

Drawing conclusions from signs or reasoning (seeing smoke means there must be fire)

Question 12

what is the comparison pramana

Answer 12

Knowledge by analogy or resemblance

Question 13

what is the testimony pramana

Answer 13

Verbal testimony from a reliable source (āpta)

Question 14

what are the foundational assumptions of Nyaya’s realistic, pluralist epistemology

Answer 14

The world is real

Knowledge can be correctly obtained

Reason and language are reliable tools

Error (apramā) comes from faulty contact, defective sense organs, or misinterpretation

Question 15

what are the two most important pramāṇa?

Answer 15

perception and inference

Question 16

sentence to remember different pramana terms

Answer 16

Based on proper visual perception, my “knowledge” (pramā) that
there’s smoke is valid/true (prāmāṇya )