INDIAN LOGIC: EXPLORING THE APPLICATION AND IMPORTANCE FOR PLEADING

Abstract

Saint Gautama has propounded the Nyāya school of philosophy. He accepted Anumāna (among the four pramāṇas) as one of the most important pramāṇa. Ācārya Gaṅgeśa is the proponent of Navya Nyāya. It is a linguistic turn for Indian Logic. It helps us to make our thoughts precise and very clear, without any confusion. People generally think that there is no external use. But there is a great use of Logic in many situations. Often, we use some sentences, which indicate there is a need for logic in our daily life, e.g., we often say ‘Please say logically’, ‘don’t argue without logic’ etc. Even we have to apply vāda in assemblies, debates and in Courtrooms also. Vāda is a methodology for argument. For this method, we have to show the hetu (reason), from this anumāna comes out. Here, Pañcāvayavi Nyāya helps to prove any inference to others. Nyāya accepts the concepts of vāda, jalpa, and vitaṇḍā. We also came to know that Tarka is not a valid cognition, but it helps to get the valid cognition. One another important point is Nigrahasthāna. Following Nyāya Sūtra, if we follow the Nigrahasthāna (ananubhāṣana, avijñātārtha doṣa, pratijñāhāni etc.) to make any argument in support or against something; then it will help us to think precisely without any loopholes. So, if there are no flaws; then we will be able to win the debate etc., whether it is in a daily life situation or a courtroom case or any debate or assemblies.