With reference to Nyaya philosophy, which of the following statements is true?

AThe linga or middle term is not the karana or operative cause of inference ✓ Correct

BThe middle term may be a thing of the present but not of the past or future

CThe middle term can function in an inference when past or future

DThe middle term can lead to the conclusion apart from the knowledge of vyapti or the universal relation between it and the major term

Correct answer: (A) The linga or middle term is not the karana or operative cause of inference

Explanation

In Nyaya the mark (linga) by itself is not the operative cause (karana) of inference.

An inference is produced only when the mark is known as pervaded by what is inferred.

This reflective knowledge of the pervaded mark is called linga-paramarsha.

It is this paramarsha, not the bare linga, that immediately yields the conclusion.

So the middle term functions only through the consideration that carries the vyapti.

Hence the linga is the instrumental object, while paramarsha is the true karana.

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