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The Nyaya-Vaiseshika School of Philosophy: A Critical Evaluation

Description: This quiz is designed to evaluate your understanding of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school of philosophy, one of the six major schools of Indian philosophy. The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school is known for its emphasis on logic and epistemology, and its focus on the analysis of reality into categories. This quiz will cover various aspects of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school, including its history, key concepts, and contributions to Indian philosophy.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: indian philosophy nyaya philosophy nyaya-vaiseshika school logic epistemology categories
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Who are considered the founders of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school of philosophy?

  1. Gautama and Kanada

  2. Kapila and Patanjali

  3. Jaimini and Vyasa

  4. Buddha and Mahavira


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school was founded by two ancient Indian philosophers, Gautama and Kanada. Gautama is known for his work on the Nyaya Sutras, while Kanada is known for his work on the Vaiseshika Sutras. These two texts are considered the foundational texts of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school.

What is the primary focus of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school of philosophy?

  1. Logic and epistemology

  2. Metaphysics and ontology

  3. Ethics and morality

  4. Social and political philosophy


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school is primarily focused on logic and epistemology. It seeks to establish a rigorous system of logic and reasoning, and to investigate the nature and sources of knowledge. The school's emphasis on logic and epistemology is evident in its extensive use of syllogistic reasoning and its analysis of various types of knowledge.

What is the central concept of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's theory of knowledge?

  1. Perception

  2. Inference

  3. Testimony

  4. Analogy


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The central concept of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's theory of knowledge is perception. The school holds that perception is the primary and most reliable source of knowledge. Perception is defined as the direct and immediate awareness of an object through the senses. The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school distinguishes between two types of perception: external perception and internal perception.

What are the four types of inference recognized by the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school?

  1. Deductive, inductive, abductive, and analogical

  2. Categorical, hypothetical, disjunctive, and conjunctive

  3. Affirmative, negative, universal, and particular

  4. Valid, invalid, sound, and unsound


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school recognizes four types of inference: categorical, hypothetical, disjunctive, and conjunctive. Categorical inference is a type of deductive inference in which the conclusion is necessarily true if the premises are true. Hypothetical inference is a type of deductive inference in which the conclusion is true if the premises are true, but the converse is not necessarily true. Disjunctive inference is a type of deductive inference in which the conclusion is true if at least one of the premises is true. Conjunctive inference is a type of deductive inference in which the conclusion is true if all of the premises are true.

What is the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's theory of categories?

  1. The theory of six categories

  2. The theory of seven categories

  3. The theory of eight categories

  4. The theory of nine categories


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's theory of categories is known as the theory of six categories. The six categories are substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence. These categories are used to analyze the world into its basic constituents and to understand the relationships between different entities.

What is the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's view on the nature of reality?

  1. Reality is composed of atoms and void

  2. Reality is composed of Brahman and Atman

  3. Reality is composed of mind and matter

  4. Reality is composed of energy and information


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school holds that reality is composed of atoms and void. Atoms are the ultimate constituents of matter, while void is the space in which atoms move and interact. The school argues that atoms are eternal and indestructible, and that they combine in various ways to form different substances.

What is the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's view on the nature of the soul?

  1. The soul is a material substance

  2. The soul is an immaterial substance

  3. The soul is a combination of material and immaterial substances

  4. The soul is an illusion


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school holds that the soul is an immaterial substance. The soul is distinct from the body and is the seat of consciousness and agency. The school argues that the soul is eternal and indestructible, and that it transmigrates from one body to another after death.

What is the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's view on the nature of God?

  1. God is a personal being

  2. God is an impersonal being

  3. God is a combination of personal and impersonal beings

  4. God does not exist


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school holds that God is a personal being. God is the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the universe. The school argues that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent. God is also the source of moral values and the ultimate goal of human life.

What is the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's view on the nature of liberation?

  1. Liberation is the attainment of moksha

  2. Liberation is the attainment of nirvana

  3. Liberation is the attainment of Brahman

  4. Liberation is the attainment of the Absolute


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school holds that liberation is the attainment of moksha. Moksha is a state of liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is a state of perfect happiness, peace, and knowledge. The school argues that moksha can be attained through the cultivation of knowledge, virtue, and detachment.

What are some of the key contributions of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school to Indian philosophy?

  1. The development of a rigorous system of logic and epistemology

  2. The analysis of reality into categories

  3. The theory of atomism

  4. The theory of the soul

  5. All of the above


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school has made significant contributions to Indian philosophy in various areas. These contributions include the development of a rigorous system of logic and epistemology, the analysis of reality into categories, the theory of atomism, and the theory of the soul. The school's emphasis on logic and epistemology has had a profound influence on the development of Indian philosophy, and its theories of categories, atomism, and the soul have been widely discussed and debated by philosophers throughout history.

Which of the following is NOT a valid source of knowledge according to the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school?

  1. Perception

  2. Inference

  3. Testimony

  4. Analogy

  5. Hypothesis


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school recognizes four valid sources of knowledge: perception, inference, testimony, and analogy. Hypothesis is not considered a valid source of knowledge because it is not based on direct observation or logical reasoning.

What is the term for the logical fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn from a premise that is not supported by evidence?

  1. Ad hominem

  2. Begging the question

  3. False dichotomy

  4. Non sequitur

  5. Straw man


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Non sequitur is the logical fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn from a premise that is not supported by evidence. The term literally means "it does not follow" in Latin.

Which of the following is NOT a category in the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's theory of categories?

  1. Substance

  2. Quality

  3. Action

  4. Generality

  5. Eternity


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

Eternity is not a category in the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school's theory of categories. The six categories are substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence.

What is the term for the type of inference in which the conclusion is necessarily true if the premises are true?

  1. Deductive inference

  2. Inductive inference

  3. Abductive inference

  4. Analogical inference

  5. Hypothetical inference


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Deductive inference is the type of inference in which the conclusion is necessarily true if the premises are true. In other words, the conclusion is guaranteed to be true if the premises are true.

Which of the following is NOT a type of inference recognized by the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school?

  1. Categorical inference

  2. Hypothetical inference

  3. Disjunctive inference

  4. Conjunctive inference

  5. Analogical inference


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

Analogical inference is not a type of inference recognized by the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school. The four types of inference recognized by the school are categorical inference, hypothetical inference, disjunctive inference, and conjunctive inference.

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