Semantics and comparative logic

Abstract

Current Western-oriented interpretations of Navyanyaya logic have in common that they all, in some way or other, call upon technical devices derived from Western classical logic in order to clarify the basic concepts of Navyanyaya logic. Underlying this method there is, of course, the assumption that it is possible to formalize Navyanyaya logic and that such a formalization can add to an illumination and understanding of the techniques for logical analysis as developed by the Navyanyaya logicians. This assumption, I urge, ought to be distinguished carefully from the assumption that the logical frame work within which a formalization of Navyanyaya logic should take place is already known and available. I insist on this distinction for, although I do not dispute the possibility and, eventually, the fruit fulness of the use of devices taken from Western formal logic for a clarification of Navyanyaya logic, I believe that the question as to which logical framework is most suitable for this purpose is still to be decided on.