According to Nyaya, the classical Indian school of logic, which of the following is an example of the Badhita fallacy, that is a non-inferentially contradicted middle?

ASound is a quality because it is visible

BSound is eternal because it is produced

CAll things are non-eternal because they are knowable

DFire is cold because it is a substance ✓ Correct

Correct answer: (D) Fire is cold because it is a substance

Explanation

Fire is cold because it is a substance is the example of the badhita fallacy.

Badhita is a middle whose probandum is contradicted by a stronger means of knowledge.

The claim that fire is cold is refuted directly by perception, since fire feels hot.

Perception, being non-inferential, overrides the offered reason.

A sadhya stultified by direct experience is the badhita hetvabhasa.

Want more like this? Create a free account to practise a full test, track your progress, and get spaced-repetition review.