A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c35.104

v2.c35.104

This doctrine of Scientific Method, in Hindu Logic, is only a subsidiary discipline, being comprehended under the wider conception of Methodology, which aims at the ascertainment of Truth whether scientific (Vijnana) or philosophical (Jnana) (मोक्षे धर्ज्ञानम् स्यात् विज्ञानं शिल्पशास्त्रयोः, Amara-Kosha);—the latter being the ulterior aim. In the investigation of any subject, Hindu Methodology adopts the following procedure: (1) the proposition (or enumeration) of the subject-matter (Uddesa), (2) the ascertainment of the essential characters or marks, by Perception, Inference, the Inductive Methods, etc.,—resulting in definitions (by लक्षण) or descriptions (by उपलक्षण); and (3) Examination and Verification (परीक्षा and निर्णय). Ordinarily the first step, Uddesa, is held to include not mere Enumeration of topics, but Classification or Division proper (विभागः उद्देशरूपानपायात् उद्देश एवासौ । सामान्यसंज्ञया कीर्तनमुद्देशः प्रकारभेदज्ञया कीर्तनं विभाग इति—Jayanta, Manjari); but a few recognise the the latter as a separate procedure coming after Definition or Description. Any truth established by this three-fold (or four-fold) procedure is called a Siddhánta (an established theory). Now the various Pramánas Proofs, i.e., sources of valid knowledge) in Hindu Logic, viz., Perception, Inference, Testimony. Mathematical Reasoning (सम्भव, including Probability in one view) are only operations subsidiary to the ascertainment of Truth (तत्त्वनिर्णय). And the Scientific Methods are merely ancillary to these Pramánas themselves.