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On Arthāpatti

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Abstract

Arthāpatti (postulation) does not depend on observation of pervasion or background belief. It is certain in the sense that when S cognizes P through postulation, no other epistemic instrument (pramāṇa) would invalidate P. The Naiyāyika tries to reduce postulation to anumāna and/or tarka. I shall argue that it is neither. Due to its explanatory role, one may think that postulation plays an essential role in lakṣaṇā or indication. But this too is a misconception. Both tarka and lakṣaṇā depend on observation and background knowledge. Neither of them has the epistemic certainty postulation enjoys. I think, due to its observation-independent nature and certainty, postulation can be seen as the source of the knowledge of the truths of reason.

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Abbreviations

AVM :

Abhidhāvṛttamātṛkā by Mukulabhaṭṭa.

CP :

Collected Papers of Charles Sanders Peirce, vols. 1–6, 1931–1935, Charles Hartshorne and Paul Weiss, eds., vols. 7–8, 1958, Arthur W. Burks, ed., Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

KKK :

Khaṇḍanakhaṇḍakhādya by Śrī Harṣa.

TCM :

The Chapter on Arthāpatti, Tattvacintāmaṇi by Gaṅgeśa.

SV :

The Chapter on Arthāpatti, Ślokavārttika by Kumārilabhaṭṭa.

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  1. Fulbright-Nehru Fellow, Department of Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Nirmalya Guha

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  1. Nirmalya Guha
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Guha, N. On Arthāpatti . J Indian Philos 44, 757–776 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10781-015-9280-9

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