45 Hours – 5 Weeks<br>(15 Hours Live, 30 Hours Practical Application)

Code: VSF102

Credits: 2

L-T-P ratio: 1-0-1

Course Designer/Instructor : Prof.J.Suryanarayana

  • Knowledge of India’s rigorous approach to logical reasoning and practice of the same in modern context
  • Exposure to the art and science of debating and reasoning.
  • Analysis of statements, identifying true and  erroneous inferences, and gain knowledge of the valid sources of cognition.
  • Introduction in evaluating logical fallacies, decision making and critical thinking.
  • Develop capability in analyzing thought by analyzing language
  • Develop the art of reasoning and argumentation
  • Develop rational thinking
  • Develop the skill of debating
  • Exposure to classical Indian intellectual, philosophical and spiritual culture

Benefits any knowledge domain which involves logical reasoning, particularly professionals such as engineers, theoreticians, statisticians, journalists, psychologists,
lawyers, judges and researchers

  • Debate on a topic: presenting and refuting arguments
  • Word economy: less words; more substance.
  • Identifying the limbs of structured reasoning in articles and debates
  • Analyzing modern articles and debates with Indic concepts.
  • Surprise quiz – 15%, Class Participation – 5%, Assignment – 30%, Practical – 50%

Detailed Syllabus

Unit – 1: History of Indian logic:
  • Introducing Indian logic
    • Indian Logic : prācīna and Navya Nyaya
  • The theory of evidence (Pramāṇa)
    • Knowing Directly
    • Knowing Indirectly
  • Capturing the universe through language
  • Communicating through language
Unit – 2: Indic approach to robust reasoning:
  • Convincing oneself
  • The five limbs of structured reasoning (convincing others – parārtha anumāna)
    o Statement of the thesis (Pratijñā)
    o Statement of reason or evidence (Hetu)
    o Example (Udāharaṇa)
    o Confirmatory sentence/Applicatory sentence (Upanaya)
    o Conclusion (Nigamana)
  • The triple nature of a sound reason or evidence (Hetu)
    o Invariable Concomitance (Vyāpti)
    o Wheel of reasoning (Hetucakra)
  • The five types of pseudo-reason or pseudo-evidence (Hetvābhāsa)
    o The deviation (savyabhicāra)
    o The adverse (viruddha)
    o The unestablished or unproven (asiddha)
    o The counter balanced (satpratipakṣa)
    o The contradicted (bādhita)
  • The supportive arguments (Tarka)
  • Decision-making
Unit – 3: Nature and form of a debate:
  • Preparation for a debate
  • The three types of debate; Vāda (An honest debate), Jalpa (Wrangling) and Vitaṇḍā (Cavil)
    o Rules of Disqualification in a Debate: The 22 defeat situations (Nigraha-sthāna)
  • Rules of debate
  • False rejoinders (Jāti)
  • Putting forth a contrary argument by using a term willfully in an ambiguous sense (Chala)
  • The good qualities of a debater; learning, knowledge, memory, talent or imaginative power, and power to deliver a speech
  • Weak points of a debater; anger, lack of equanimity, fear, lack of memory, and inattention

References

  • Basu, B. D. (1913) [Edited]., The Nyaya Sutras of Gotama. Sudhindranatha Vasu, Allahabad. (The Sacred Books of The Hindus, VOL. VIII)
  • Matilal, B. K. (1998). The Character of Logic in India. Suny Press, NY.
  • Jha, V. N. (2010). Tarkasangraha of Annambhatta. Chinmaya International Foundation Shodha Sansthan, Kerala
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