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“In Vedantic discourse, of which the Bhagavata is part, the final conclusion is always established after reflecting on an opposing argument. Vedantic scholars tried to clear all doubts from their theses by a vigorous examination of other schools of thought. Indeed so much of Hindu theology involves argument, counter-argument, and reply. The formal process of reasoning was thus: 1 The thesis is presented (visaya); 2 A doubt is raised about that thesis (samdeha); 3 Based on that doubt, a criticism or counter-argument is formulated (purva-paksa); 4 The thesis is re-presented in the light of and in response to the criticism (siddhanta).” — Jonathan B. Edelmann
In Vedantic discourse, of which the
Bhagavata is part, the final conclusion is always established after reflecting on
an opposing argument. Vedantic scholars tried to clear all doubts from their
theses by a vigorous examination of other schools of thought. Indeed so much
of Hindu theology involves argument, counter-argument, and reply. The
formal process of reasoning was thus:
1 The thesis is presented (visaya);
2 A doubt is raised about that thesis (samdeha);
3 Based on that doubt, a criticism or counter-argument is formulated
(purva-paksa);
4 The thesis is re-presented in the light of and in response to the criticism
(siddhanta).