The validity of Anumana (inference) in Nyaya system

by Babu C. D | 2018 | 44,340 words

This thesis is called: The validity of Anumana (inference) in Nyaya system. It tries to establish the validity of Anumana through citing its application either consciously or unconsciously in every sphere of human life. Anumana in Nyaya system is the knowledge of any object not by direct observation but by means of the knowledge of a liṅga or sign ...

Chapter 5.9 - Anumana in day to day lives

People from all walks of life use inference both in their daily and professional lives. Doctors make inferences when they diagnose conditions. They take a peek at X rays, MRIs, observation and communication with the patient for evidence that will lead them to a diagnosis. Crime science investigators make inferences when they follow clues like finger prints, DNA and footprints to find out how and when the crime was committed. Mechanics make inferences when they run diagnostic, tinker round in the engine and chat with one about how the car is acting to figure out what’s wrong under the hood.

Human beings observe, classify, measure, predict, infer, form hypothesis, interpret and even experiment things. Most of these activities are part and parcel of one’s life. Most people engage in such activities in a normal way and do it unaware of the steps. For instance, a student walks into the class room and the teacher tells to clear desk and take a piece of paper and a pencil. He then infers that an assessment will occur or when one enters a house and sees backpacks by the door, small shoes scattered near them; see an art easel and a room with a doll house and a toy box. From these he infers that there are children in the family or one enters a house which has been ransacked; sees blood on the floor which leads out to the back door. He then infers that a crime has occurred in the house. People interpret their day to day to activities using deductive logical reasoning and inference. Yet it should be understood that nearly forty percent of seventeen years olds cannot correctly draw inference from written material.

Inference is an assumption made based on specific evidence. It is continuous process in which every person is involved. When a person arrives at home from work and finds that all the lights are out. It is assumed from it that the person is first one at home. Or as one walk out from the car, the person sees a package on the front step. Before it being picked up it is assumed that it was left by the mail man. Again when opening the door and see that the living room has been cleaned, it is concluded that someone must have cleaned the room while the person was at work. Or if someone wanting a new food and he or she makes a frowned face then it is inferred he does not like it. Or if someone slams a door it can be inferred that the person is upset about something.

Likewise human beings infer things all the time. In each of the above examples, the inference is a logical conclusion reached by reasoning. However, it is not necessary that the inference be true in all the cases as inferences are tentative and additional observation may refute what has been inferred.[1]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

www.cam.org

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