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Nyaya-Vaisheshika Philosophy Overview

The Nyaya and Vaiseshika systems are two allied Indian philosophies that present a realistic view of the external world. They aim to understand the universe and means of comprehending it in order to achieve the highest good. Vaiseshika emphasizes that diversity is the essence of the universe and deals with categories of objects. Nyaya gives more importance to logical realism and the acceptance of a physical world. Over time, the Nyaya and Vaiseshika systems blended into a single syncretic system through logical necessity, as seen in the Tarkamgraha text which accepts Vaiseshika concepts and Nyaya epistemological theories.

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24 views3 pages

Nyaya-Vaisheshika Philosophy Overview

The Nyaya and Vaiseshika systems are two allied Indian philosophies that present a realistic view of the external world. They aim to understand the universe and means of comprehending it in order to achieve the highest good. Vaiseshika emphasizes that diversity is the essence of the universe and deals with categories of objects. Nyaya gives more importance to logical realism and the acceptance of a physical world. Over time, the Nyaya and Vaiseshika systems blended into a single syncretic system through logical necessity, as seen in the Tarkamgraha text which accepts Vaiseshika concepts and Nyaya epistemological theories.

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abhishek kumar
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© All Rights Reserved
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INTRODUCTION

Among the numerous systems of philosophy that have been

evolved in India, the Nyiya and Vaiksika occupy a unique position.

They -sent the realistic branch of Indian philosophy. According to

them the external world is real and it exists in its material fonn. The

Nyiiya system is systematized by Gautama in his NyZyasEh while

Vai&e!ika system of philosophy is systematized by KqEda in his

Vaz3q&mZ& These two systems are called allied philosophies or

samSnatantras.

NyZya-Vaik~ika,like all other schools of Indian phil-hy, aims

at realizing the highest good, viz. Nigreyasa. In order to achieve this

end, these systems have presented an analytical demonstrafjon of the

universe, and the means to comprehend the phenomenal world.

The Vai&ika philosophy is pluralistic realism whichemphasizes

Ulat divervity is the euuc-na of the u n i v m . It is rcg& as htlpful to

the study of all systems. The main business of the VaiSqika system is to

deal with the categories and so it is called 'pramey&%stra', the science

of objects of knowledge. The Vaik@ka stitra of K q g d a is the basis of


Vaiiesika philosophy. A category is called p a d m and Ka$a brings

all objects of valid knowledge under six padfirthas. The doctrine of

atomism is its special feature. Vaihika is mainly a system of physics

and metaphysics.

Nyaya system is a philosophy which gives more importance to

logical realism. It accepts the reality of existence of a physical world

more than the spiritual world. The study of epistemological and logical

problem in Indian philosophy under the heading 'NyZya' which aims at

discussing the process of lcnowing and argumentation cannot be called

logic in the strict sense of the term. Nyiiya is the study of knowing and

the means of testing. The tradition of dealing with the issue of p.am5qas

commenced with the Nyiiya system in philosophy. Thereforethe NyHya

system is known as 'pramZnaSiistra' the science of logic and

epistemology.

The NySya-Vaibsika systems were separate in their origin and

early development, but were blended into a single syncretic system later

because of logical and inkllectual necessity.


3

Among the NyZya-Vaiiesika treatises the ' Tarkmay&aa' has a

unique position. All the bastc principles of NyZya and Vaiksika systems

arc understood by the study of this work, Tarkwgraha In the case of

padiirthas the Vai,k?ika concepts are altogether accepted and in the case

of pramiips the NyZya theories are altogether accepted. This is the

main compromise between the doctrines of NySya and Vaksika in

Tarkaq@a.

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