[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021) › c5.6 # Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.6 Vāda in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.6 - **Language:** English ### [c5.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.6) B.K. Matilal recognizes two distinct traditions of Indian logic — one is the tradition of \*vāda\* (debates, dialogues and discussions) and the other is the \*pramāṇa\* tradition. The former is concerned with dialectical tricks, arguments and sophistry, whereas the latter with criteria for empirical knowledge.² However, Matilal does not define the interconnections between these two traditions. In fact, the \*vāda\* tradition does not simply subside in sophistry and tricks, it very much effects and enriches the other tradition concerned with epistemology, providing a critique of diverse schools of philosophy. \*Vāda\* leads to true knowledge which would culminate in salvation (\*mokṣa\*).³ In fact \*pramāṇa\* is invariably linked to both \*vāda\* and \*darśana\*. There is a popular saying amongst Sanskrit \*paṇḍits\*—\*vāde vāde jāyate tattvabodhaḥ\* (after going through the series of \*vādas\*, true knowledge is acquired). In fact, it is this idea of \*tattvabodha\* — arriving at the very essence and ultimate truth — that distinguishes the Indian tradition of \*vāda\* from Western dialecticism. Greek philosophers like Aristotle have given the idea of dialectics primarily in the sense of “the art of discussion, debate, controversy, a method of argument or disputation, the process of discursive or conversational thinking”.⁴ - [Previous: c5.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.5) - [Next: c5.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.7) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c5.6) · Pramāṇa