172 Bhdsha Pariche'da, or Division of Language. [Feb. 



of the relation between two ideas, and its simple question is, whether 

 two ideas can be connected or not. 



It is evident, that in this way neither quantity, nor modality of pro- 

 positions could have been discovered. We might, however, dispense with 

 them, as these forms are not strictly logical ; but not even the division of 

 propositions according to their quality has been made by the Nyaya. 



The theory of ideas and propositions is the weakest point in the logic 

 of the Nyaya ; they are more successful in explaining the form of argu- 

 ments ; for though the theory of syllogism is far from exact and com- 

 plete, we must admit, that they understood the general character of a 

 syllogism. 



Goutama, the founder of the Nyaya, thought, that a complete syllogism 

 ought to contain five members (propositions); viz. 1, the proposition, 

 (that is, what is to be proved by the argument ;) 2, the reason or argument; 

 3, the instance ; 4, the application ; 5, the conclusion, for example — 

 This hill is fiery 

 For it smokes. 

 As for instance a hearth. 

 This hill smokes 

 Therefore it is fiery. 



We need not expatiate on the five members, although it may indeed 

 create some surprise, that philosophers, who gave an analysis of syllo- 

 gism, should not have immediately observed the superfluity of two of 

 these members; in more modern times the syllogism was reduced to 

 four members (by others to three), of which we now give a descrip- 

 tion. 



The first act is the statement of a fact (or proposition minor). For 

 instance : this hill smokes. With the idea of smoke is associated the 

 idea of fire, as we know from a former observation, that smoke is con- 

 nected with fire, as for instance, fire on a hearth. Smoke is therefore 

 the argument, and has the predicate, that fire is to be inferred from it 

 under similar circumstances, as those which were observed concerning 

 the fire on a hearth. The second step therefore is, that the argument 

 (smoke) recalls its connection in a former time with another idea. This 

 second act is called consideration, or to give it in a sentence, 



Where there is smoke, there is fire, as for instance, on a hearth. 



