[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) › c8.s6.4 # Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c8.s6.4 Vāda in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c8.s6.4 - **Language:** English ### [c8.s6.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c8.s6.4) Tagged with the question of scriptural authority is the question of validity of the words coming from a reliable person termed as \*āpta\* by the ancient Indian philosophers. Those who believe in the authority of the Śruti do not uphold, the authority of the reliable persons. With some reservations, Al-Beruni even prefers spoken or written word over the testimony of the \*pratyakṣa pramāṇa\* (perception). Caraka had given more importance to the authority of \*āpta\* (see Chap. 3). Al-Biruni clubs both the written and spoken words under his concept of hearsay and his speculations about the validity of “hearsay” are noteworthy: - [Previous: c8.s6.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c8.s6.3) - [Next: c8.s6.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c8.s6.5) - [Up: c8.s6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c8.s6) ## Linked texts (1) - [Carakasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.samhita.caraka) — Agniveśa (Āyurveda) & Caraka, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c8.s6.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.tripathi-2021.c8.s6.4) · Pramāṇa