UGC NET Paper 1 Unit 6 Topic 7 : Structure and kinds of Anumana, Vyapti, Hetvabhasas.

📚 Nyaya Philosophy: Anumana (Inference), Vyapti, and Hetvabhasas

🔍 Master Classical Indian Logic for UGC NET! This guide covers the structure, types, and fallacies of inference in Nyaya philosophy, essential for Paper 1's Logical Reasoning section. 🎯

💡 Quick Summary:

• Anumana: Inference based on Vyapti (invariable relation)
• Vyapti: Universal concomitance between Hetu (reason) and Sadhya (probandum)
• Hetvabhasas: 5 types of fallacies that invalidate inference

1. Anumana (Inference)

🔴 Definition and Structure

"Anumana is knowledge which is preceded by perception and is based on Vyapti." - Gautama (Nyaya Sutra 1.1.5)

5-Step Structure (Nyaya Syllogism):

1. Pratijna (Proposition): "The hill has fire."
2. Hetu (Reason): "Because it has smoke."
3. Udaharana (Example): "Wherever there's smoke, there's fire (e.g., kitchen)."
4. Upanaya (Application): "The hill has smoke which is invariably associated with fire."
5. Nigamana (Conclusion): "Therefore, the hill has fire."

🟢 Types of Anumana

Classification	Type	Description	Example
Based on Process	Purvavat (from cause to effect)	Inferring effect from cause	Dark clouds → Rain
	Sheshavat (from effect to cause)	Inferring cause from effect	Flooded river → Heavy rain upstream
	Samanyatodrishta (general correlation)	Based on general observation	Change of moon's position → Time passage
Based on Character	Svarthanumana (for oneself)	Mental inference process	Self-conclusion about fire on hill
	Parathanumana (for others)	Formal 5-step syllogism	Debating using full logical structure

2. Vyapti (Invariable Relation)

🔵 The Foundation of Inference

"Vyapti is the unconditional universal relation between Hetu (middle term) and Sadhya (major term)."

Key Characteristics:

• Nityasambandha: Permanent relation (not accidental)
• Avinabhava: Non-separation (smoke cannot exist without fire)
• Anupadhika: Unconditional (no third factor needed)

🟡 Methods to Establish Vyapti

1. Anvaya-vyatireka:
   • Anvaya: Positive correlation (Where smoke, there fire)
   • Vyatireka: Negative correlation (Where no fire, no smoke)
2. Upadhi-nirasah: Elimination of confounding conditions
3. Tarka (Hypothetical reasoning): Testing through counterfactuals

Type	Description	Example
Kevalanvayi	Only positive examples available	All knowable objects are nameable
Kevalavyatireki	Only negative examples available	What is not different cannot be perceived (e.g., ether)
Anvaya-vyatireki	Both positive and negative examples	Smoke and fire (kitchen vs lake)

3. Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference)

🔴 5 Types of Invalid Reasons

"Fallacies appear to be valid reasons but actually violate the conditions of proper Hetu."

Fallacy Type	Description	Example	Violated Condition
Savyabhichara (Irregular)	Hetu is not universally related to Sadhya	"Sound is eternal because it's audible" (Audibility found in both eternal & non-eternal things)	Vyapti
Viruddha (Contradictory)	Hetu proves the opposite of Sadhya	"Fire is cold because it's a substance" (Substances can be hot/cold)	Non-contradiction
Satpratipaksa (Counter-balanced)	Opposing Hetu equally strong	"Sound is eternal because it's heard" vs "Sound is non-eternal because it's produced"	Uniqueness
Asiddha (Unproven)	Hetu itself is unestablished	"The sky-lotus is fragrant because it's a lotus" (Sky-lotus doesn't exist)	Existence
Badhita (Non-inferential)	Conclusion contradicted by perception	"Fire is not hot because it's created" (Direct perception contradicts)	Pramana harmony

Subtypes of Savyabhichara:

• Sadharana: Too wide (e.g., "Hill has fire because it's knowable")
• Asadharana: Too narrow (e.g., "Sound is eternal because it's audible" - only sound has audibility)
• Anupasamhari: Inconclusive (e.g., "All things are non-eternal because they're knowable")

Nyaya vs Western Logic

Aspect	Nyaya Anumana	Western Syllogism
Structure	5 steps (Pratijna to Nigamana)	3 parts (Major premise, minor premise, conclusion)
Focus	Epistemological validity	Formal validity
Vyapti	Requires empirical correlation	Relies on definitional truths
Fallacies	Material (content-based)	Mostly formal (structure-based)

🔥 Most Repeated UGC NET Questions:

1. Which Hetvabhasa is committed in: "Sound is eternal because it's audible"? (Ans: Savyabhichara)
2. How many steps are in Nyaya syllogism? (Ans: 5)
3. What establishes Vyapti through positive-negative correlation? (Ans: Anvaya-vyatireka)
4. Inferring rain from dark clouds is what type of Anumana? (Ans: Purvavat)
5. Which fallacy occurs when Hetu proves the opposite? (Ans: Viruddha)

Memory Aids

5-Step Anumana:
Please
Help
Us
Understand
Nyaya!
(Pratijna, Hetu, Udaharana, Upanaya, Nigamana)

5 Hetvabhasas:
Savyabhichara (Irregular)
Viruddha (Contradictory)
Satpratipaksa (Counter-balanced)
Asiddha (Unproven)
Badhita (Non-inferential)
Mnemonic: "Some Very Smart Animals Bark"

🚀 Application in UGC NET

• Paper 1: 2-3 direct questions on Anumana structure/types
• Research: Understanding Indian epistemological traditions
• Teaching: Contrasting Eastern and Western logical systems

Pro Tip: Practice identifying fallacies in everyday arguments. For example:

• "All good students wake early. Rahul wakes early, so he's good." (Savayabhichara - not all early risers are good students)