Nyaya Philosophy

Nyaya Philosophy

 

Nyāya is one of the six orthodox (astika) schools of Indian philosophy. The founder of this school of philosophy was sage Aksāpada Gautama.

Etymological definition

Nyāya is a Sanskrit term which means “rules’, “method” or “judgment”. Nyāya is predominantly based on reasoning and logic and is primarily concerned with the conditions of correct knowledge and the means of receiving that knowledge.

Therefore, Nyaya is variously known in Indian philosophy such as:   Hetu-vidya (science of causes),

Anviksiki (science of critical inquiry),

Pramana-sastra (epistemology or the science of correct knowledge),

Tarka- sastra (science of reasoning, innovation, synthesis), Vadartha (science of discussion)

and Phakkika-sastra (science of uncovering sophism, fraud, or error).

Epistemology

Nyaya philosophy is basically treated as a theory of knowledge, and its scholars developed many treaties on epistemology called Pramana-sastras.

 Pramana, in Sanskrit stands for “means of knowledge”. Nyaya recognized four valid means (pramana) of acquiring valid knowledge:

perception (pratyaksha),

inference  (anumāna),

analogy or comparison (upamāna)

and word or testimony of reliable sources (śabda)

Nyaya philosophy established a theory to identify errors and the process by which errors are made in acquiring knowledge.

Metaphysics

Nyāya philosophy believes in pluralistic realism.

According to Nyāya there are many independent realities which are broadly divided into two classes:

being and non-being (bhāva and a-bhāva).  

Being or positive realities, (bhāva) are of six kinds: substance or dravya, –quality or guna, action or karma, generality or sāmānya, particularity or viśec –a and inherence or samavāya.

Non-being (abhāva) represents all negative facts or all kinds of non-existence.

Thus, Nyāya philosophy combines pluralistic realism with theism and believes in the existence of God as the supreme Self, who is God, is one, infinite and eternal. He is the omniscient and omnipotent cause of the creation, maintenance and destruction of the world.

 

 

 

Educational Philosophy of Nyaya

Aim of Education:

According to Nyaya, the main aim of education is

• 1.    The achievement of true knowledge of the self.

This true knowledge of the self alone can lead to the achievement the highest goal or Mukti. Nyaya philosophy believes that education should aim at the removal of ignorance which is the root of all defects.

• 2.    realize their true self through meditation:

Mediation is the way through which one can realize his self.

• 3.    removing the defects

Education must aim at removing the defects such as: Rāga or desire, Dhesa or hatred, Moha or defective outlook.

• 4.    Providing the skills of logical thinking
• 5.    Providing knowledge how to be free from pain and suffering

 

Nyaya and the Curriculum:

 In order to achieve the aim of Mukti through self realization, Nyaya advocates the study of scriptures, continuous study of philosophy and discussions with persons learned in philosophy. Nyaya believes that Mukti can be attained by direct perception or knowledge of ultimate realities of Self and the universe.  These ultimate realities include categories (padarthas), which are termed as dravya (substance), guna (qualities), karma (action or motion), samanya (genus), vishesah (species), samavaya (relation), and abhava (negation). All these categories deal with the means to understand the universe and hence form the curriculum recommended by Nyaya Philosophy.

Nyaya and the Methods of Education:

Nyaya philosophy is basically treated as a theory of knowledge. Nyaya recognized four valid means (pramana) of acquiring valid knowledge:

perception (pratyaksha),

inference (anumāna),

analogy or comparison (upamāna)

and word or testimony of reliable sources (śabda).

 Besides these means,

These include Samaśya samadan  (problem solving method )

Meditation method - which involve: withdrawing the mind from sense organs, keeping it steady by efforts towards concentration, coming in contact with the self, and a keenness to get at the truth. Such meditation is usually hindered by physical and moral obstacles and such obstacles must be overcome by the practice of yoga.

Nyaya and the Discipline

Nyaya philosophy also recommends strict discipline of the body and mind. Nyaya advocates practice of yoga.

Nyaya and the Role of Teacher:

Like Samkhya, Nyaya philosophy also accepts the teacher as an authority (Aapta). The teacher must lead students along the path of Mukti or liberation.

The teacher must help students to achieve true knowledge about oneself. The teacher is a helper in the process of acquiring knowledge about the different categories or realities.