Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c7.s1.31

c7.s1.31

An attack or denial of a proposition on the basis of similarity or dissimilarity is *jāti*,²⁷ so named because it is generated or born instantly. As per *bhāṣya* of Vātsyāyana, *jāti* involves objections on *hetu* (cause). When *hetu* is intended to prove a proposition through the similarity of the example cited, *jāti* proceeds to counter it by producing an example based on dissimilarity and vice versa. Udyotakara however disagrees with the definitions of Gautama and Vātsyāyana with regard to restricting *jāti* to opposing a hypothesis on the basis of similarity or dissimilarity of the example alone. It is like positioning a *wazīr* against a *wazīr* in the game of chess. *Jāti* thus forms a counter-argument exhibiting the futility of the arguments already presented, right argument against the right one and a futile argument against the equally futile one, showing flaws in opponent's argument. Gautama has described twenty-four *jātis* based on:
• Homogeneity (*sādṛśyasama*)
• Heterogeneity (*vaidharmyasama*)
• Addition (*utkarṣasama*)
• Deficiency (*apakarṣasama*)
• Uncertainty (*varṇyasama*)
• Certainty (*avarṇyasama*)
• Alternative (*vikalpasama*)
• Probandum (*sādhyasama*)
• Co-presence (*prāptisama*)
• Mutual absence (*aprāptisama*)
• Infinite regress (*prasaṅgasama*)
• Counter-instance (*pratidṛṣṭāntasama*)