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NYAYA PHILOSOPHY- A BRIEF INTRODUCTION by Sree T K Jayaraman

 

There are six orthodox systems of Indian Philosophy. Nyaya is one of them. In this post; I am giving a brief introduction to the subject. This system of philosophy, far from being mere speculations, is characterized by rigorous logic. Nyaya means reasoning or method. The sage Gautama (550 BC) is the founder of the system. Nyaya Sutras are the main source of this philosophy.

 

What is the subject matter of Nyaya? It talks about the sources of knowledge. They are as follows:

Perception

Inference

Comparison

Testimony

 

Perception or Pratyaksha is the direct knowledge arising out of our relation to senses. When you actually see an object, it is a direct knowledge. The sense involved is sight. Knowledge of the object arises. The sense concerned may be internal like mind (Manas)

Inference is the apprehension of knowledge through some mark related to the inferred object. The hill is fiery because it smokes; and whatever smokes is fiery. Comparison or Upamana is the knowledge of a thing by its similarity to a thing already known. Hearing that a wild ox is like a cow, we learn that an animal which we see in the forest looking like a cow is a wild ox. Testimony or Sabda is the knowledge gained from authoritative sources. The fact that water consists of hydrogen and oxygen is accepted on the authority of the scientists concerned.

 

What are the objects of knowledge? They are as follows:

Self

Body

The senses and their objects

Cognition

Mind

Activities

Mental Defects

Rebirth

The feeling of pleasure and pain

Suffering

Freedom from suffering

 

What is the ultimate aim of this philosophy? Nyaya seeks to deliver the self from its bondage to the body, the senses and their objects. The self is distinct from the mind and the body. Mind is a subtle, indivisible and eternal substance (anu). It perceives the psychic qualities like pleasure and pain. The self acquires the attribute of consciousness when it is related to any object through the senses. It is due to ignorance that self engages in various activities and suffers their consequences. It is knowledge that liberates. Liberation (apavarga) means the absolute cessation of all pain and suffering. The Nyaya method is the right way too Knowledge. Liberation is only release from pain and not pleasure or happiness.

 

The earlier Nyaya philosophers did not talk about God. But the later thinkers gave several proofs for the existence of God. God did not create the world out of nothing, but out of the eternal existing things and the souls. Nyaya is closely related to the Vaisheshika system of philosophy in its metaphysics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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