According to the classical Indian school of logic (Nyaya), the argument 'Sound is eternal because it is produced' is fallacious because:

AThe middle term, instead of being pervaded by the presence of the major term, is pervaded by its absence. ✓ Correct

BThe locus of the middle term is impossible.

CThe middle term, instead of being pervaded by the absence of the major term, is pervaded by its presence.

DIt lacks any major term.

Correct answer: (A) The middle term, instead of being pervaded by the presence of the major term, is pervaded by its absence.

Explanation

The argument fails because its middle term is pervaded by the absence of the major term, not its presence.

Eternality is asserted of sound on the ground that sound is produced.

Being produced is invariably tied to non-eternality, the opposite of the intended conclusion.

So the reason accompanies the absence of eternality wherever it occurs.

A middle term concomitant with the absence of the major term proves the contrary.

This is the viruddha, the contradictory hetvabhasa of Nyaya.

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