Indian logic and atomism (an explanation of the Nyaya and Vaisheshika schools)

Author: (English) Keith, translated by Song Lida
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-02-01
Features: The logic discipline in India is generally divided into five parts: the logic of grammar, also known as the logic of declaration. It is centered around the Sanskrit grammar of Panini; the doctrine of Mimamsa, which begins with the interpretation of sacrificial classics and has historically involved various linguistic logic issues; the third is the doctrine of Vaisheshika and Nyaya, whose origin is undoubtedly natural philosophy, but its special interest in cosmic structure and linguistic expression for liberation also gave rise to a rigorous logical system; the fourth is the Buddhist logic of Hetuvidya, which has already been mentioned in Shanghai; the fifth is the logic of the New Nyaya school. It is the final form of Hindu logic. From the 13th century to the present, the New Nyaya school has continuously faced challenges. This book is titled Indian Logic and Atomism. It is named using Western philosophical terms. The meaning of Indian logic has already been explained above; atomism, also known as the theory of paramanu. Paramanu refers to something extremely small and subtle, hence being compared to the atomic theory of ancient Greece. In India, the school of Vaisheshika should be the first to articulate the theory of paramanu. The Buddhist school of Sarvastivada, which emerged slightly later and almost simultaneously with Vaisheshika, also advocated the theory of paramanu. From the perspective of the essence of atomic units alone, the two schools may have mutually borrowed from each other and have no fundamental differences.