Hetucakra
Encyclopedia
Hetucakra is a Sanskrit text on logic written by Dignaga
(c 480–540 CE) . It concerns the application of his 'three modes’ (trairūpya
) in a valid inference within the Indian logico-epistemic tradition
, sometimes referred to as Buddhist logic
.
Anacker (2005: p. 34), in introducing his English rendering of the "Method for Argumentation (Vāda-vidhi)" of Vasubandhu
(fl. 4th c.)—a text composed in Sanskrit which is now only extant
in a reconstructed composite extracted from Tibetan works, collated by Frauwallner
(1957)—holds that:
Dignaga formulated the 'three modes’ (trairūpya
) which are three conditions required for a logical ‘sign’ or ‘mark’ (linga) to fulfill in order to establish the 'valid cognition' (pramana) of an 'inference' (anumana):
When a ‘sign’ or ‘mark’ (linga) is identified, there are three possibilities: the sign may be present in all, some, or none of the sapakṣas. Similarly, the sign may be present in all, some or none of the vipakṣas. To identify a sign, by convention we accept the first condition as being satisfied. Combining these, Dignaga constructed his ‘Wheel of Reason’ (Hetucakra) with
nine distinct possibilities, which may be tabulated as follows (adapted from Matilal, 1998: p. 9):
Of the nine possibilities within the chakra
or 'wheel', Dignaga asserted that only two are illustrative of sound inference, that is they meet all three conditions, namely Numbers 2 and 8: either "+ sapakṣa − & vipakṣa" or "± sapakṣa & − vipakṣa" would fulfill the required conditions. Dignaga is insistent that at least one sapaksa must have the positive sign. Number 5 is not a case of sound inference as this is a pseudo-sign for although it satisfies the two conditions 1 and 3, it does not fulfill condition 2. Dignaga required all three conditions to be met in order to establish valid cognition. The second row does not satisfy condition 2 and hence none of Numbers 4, 5, and 6 are logical signs; they are pseudo-signs. Numbers 4 and 6 are called “contradictory” pseudo-signs—an improvement upon the old Nyāya Sūtras
definition of contradictory. The middle one, Number 5, is called “uniquely deviating” (asādhāraṇa), perhaps for the reason that this sign becomes a unique sign of the paksa itself, and is not found anywhere else. In Dignaga’s system, this sign cannot be a sign for anything else, it can only point to itself reflexively or to its own locus. Numbers 1, 3, 7, and 9 are also pseudo-signs. They are called the “deviating” signs, for in each case the sign occurs in some vipaksa or other, although each fulfills the second condition. This shows that, at least in Dignaga’s own view, the second condition (when it is combined with the first) gives only a necessary condition for being an adequate sign, not a sufficient one. In other words, Dignaga intended all three conditions jointly to formulate a sufficient condition.
Dignaga
Dignāga was an Indian scholar and one of the Buddhist founders of Indian logic.He was born into a Brahmin family in Simhavakta near Kanchi Kanchipuram), and very little is known of his early years, except that he took as his spiritual preceptor Nagadatta of the Vatsiputriya school, before being...
(c 480–540 CE) . It concerns the application of his 'three modes’ (trairūpya
Trairūpya
Trairūpya is a conceptual tool of Buddhist logic. The Trairūpya, ‘three conditions’, is oft accredited to Dignaga though is now understood to have originated with his teacher Vasubandhu Trairūpya (Sanskrit; English: "the triple-character of inferential sign") is a conceptual tool of Buddhist...
) in a valid inference within the Indian logico-epistemic tradition
Indian logic
The development of Indian logic dates back to the anviksiki of Medhatithi Gautama the Sanskrit grammar rules of Pāṇini ; the Vaisheshika school's analysis of atomism ; the analysis of inference by Gotama , founder of the Nyaya school of Hindu philosophy; and the tetralemma of Nagarjuna...
, sometimes referred to as Buddhist logic
Buddhist logic
Buddhist Logic, the categorical nomenclature modern Western discourse has extended to Buddhadharma traditions of 'Hetuvidya' and 'Pramanavada' , which arose circa 500CE, is a particular development, application and lineage of continuity of 'Indian Logic', from which it seceded...
.
Anacker (2005: p. 34), in introducing his English rendering of the "Method for Argumentation (Vāda-vidhi)" of Vasubandhu
Vasubandhu
Vasubandhu was an Indian Buddhist monk, and along with his half-brother Asanga, one of the main founders of the Indian Yogācāra school. However, some scholars consider Vasubandhu to be two distinct people. Vasubandhu is one of the most influential figures in the entire history of Buddhism...
(fl. 4th c.)—a text composed in Sanskrit which is now only extant
Extant literature
Extant literature refers to texts that have survived from the past to the present time. Extant literature can be divided into extant original manuscripts, copies of original manuscripts, quotations and paraphrases of passages of non-extant texts contained in other works, translations of non-extant...
in a reconstructed composite extracted from Tibetan works, collated by Frauwallner
Erich Frauwallner
Erich Frauwallner was an Austrian professor, a pioneer in the field of Buddhist studies.-Career and life:...
(1957)—holds that:
Vasubandhu's criteria for a valid inference-schema are concise and precise, and there is nothing essential omitted. Dignāga's 'wheel of justifications' (hetu-cakra), sometimes held to be the first complete Indian formulation of what constitutes the validity and invalidity of an argument, is in fact nothing of the kind: it is a pedagogic device mapping out in detail what Vasubandhu's criteria already presuppose.
Dignaga formulated the 'three modes’ (trairūpya
Trairūpya
Trairūpya is a conceptual tool of Buddhist logic. The Trairūpya, ‘three conditions’, is oft accredited to Dignaga though is now understood to have originated with his teacher Vasubandhu Trairūpya (Sanskrit; English: "the triple-character of inferential sign") is a conceptual tool of Buddhist...
) which are three conditions required for a logical ‘sign’ or ‘mark’ (linga) to fulfill in order to establish the 'valid cognition' (pramana) of an 'inference' (anumana):
- It should be present in the case or object under consideration, the ‘subject-locus’ (pakṣa)
- It should be present in a ‘similar case’ or a homologue (sapakṣa)
- It should not be present in any ‘dissimilar case’ or heterologue (vipakṣa)
When a ‘sign’ or ‘mark’ (linga) is identified, there are three possibilities: the sign may be present in all, some, or none of the sapakṣas. Similarly, the sign may be present in all, some or none of the vipakṣas. To identify a sign, by convention we accept the first condition as being satisfied. Combining these, Dignaga constructed his ‘Wheel of Reason’ (Hetucakra) with
nine distinct possibilities, which may be tabulated as follows (adapted from Matilal, 1998: p. 9):
| 1: + sapakṣa, + vipakṣa | 2: + sapakṣa, – vipakṣa | 3: + sapakṣa, ± vipakṣa |
| 4: – sapakṣa, + vipakṣa | 5: – sapakṣa, – vipakṣa | 6: – sapakṣa, ± vipakṣa |
| 7: ± sapakṣa, + vipakṣa | 8: ± sapakṣa, – vipakṣa | 9: ± sapakṣa, ± vipakṣa |
| Key: + = all, ± = some, -- = none | ||
Of the nine possibilities within the chakra
Chakra
Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" .Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices...
or 'wheel', Dignaga asserted that only two are illustrative of sound inference, that is they meet all three conditions, namely Numbers 2 and 8: either "+ sapakṣa − & vipakṣa" or "± sapakṣa & − vipakṣa" would fulfill the required conditions. Dignaga is insistent that at least one sapaksa must have the positive sign. Number 5 is not a case of sound inference as this is a pseudo-sign for although it satisfies the two conditions 1 and 3, it does not fulfill condition 2. Dignaga required all three conditions to be met in order to establish valid cognition. The second row does not satisfy condition 2 and hence none of Numbers 4, 5, and 6 are logical signs; they are pseudo-signs. Numbers 4 and 6 are called “contradictory” pseudo-signs—an improvement upon the old Nyāya Sūtras
Nyaya Sutras
The Nyāya Sūtras are an ancient Indian text on of philosophy composed by ' . The sutras contain five chapters, each with two sections...
definition of contradictory. The middle one, Number 5, is called “uniquely deviating” (asādhāraṇa), perhaps for the reason that this sign becomes a unique sign of the paksa itself, and is not found anywhere else. In Dignaga’s system, this sign cannot be a sign for anything else, it can only point to itself reflexively or to its own locus. Numbers 1, 3, 7, and 9 are also pseudo-signs. They are called the “deviating” signs, for in each case the sign occurs in some vipaksa or other, although each fulfills the second condition. This shows that, at least in Dignaga’s own view, the second condition (when it is combined with the first) gives only a necessary condition for being an adequate sign, not a sufficient one. In other words, Dignaga intended all three conditions jointly to formulate a sufficient condition.