Comparing Indian and Western logic focus – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C, D and F are correct, whereas E is incorrect. Western deductive logic does focus on the formal structure of propositions and arguments, while Nyaya embeds inference within a broader epistemological scheme of pramāṇas. The five-membered Nyaya syllogism includes the statement of vyāpti plus an example, and exam questions often ask students to pick out pakṣa, sādhya and hetu. Both traditions seek reliable reasoning, even though they use different categories and notations. E is false because Western symbolic logic explicitly introduces symbols to represent logical forms. Hence A, B, C, D and F only is the correct combination.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits F, ignoring the important comparative point that both traditions share the goal of valid reasoning despite differing emphases. While A, B, C and D are accurate, the absence of F means the option does not show the underlying common aim. Therefore A, B, C and D only cannot be accepted as fully correct.

Option B:
Option B is correct since it assembles A, B, C, D and F, giving a balanced view of similarities and differences between Indian and Western logic. It correctly excludes E, which contradicts the basic idea of symbolic logic. This option therefore captures the intended set of correct statements.

Option C:
Option C is wrong because it treats E as correct by including it with B, C, D and F. Claiming that Western symbolic logic never uses symbols is self-contradictory, as its defining feature is symbolic representation. Including E makes this option logically inconsistent.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since it leaves out B and includes only A, C, D and F. Without B, it loses the crucial point about Nyaya’s connection between inference and pramāṇa theory. As a result, A, C, D and F only does not fully represent the correct set of statements given in the question.