Vadanyaya of Dharmakirti: The Logic of Debate

Contents: Preface. Introduction. Part I: Definition of Occassion of Defeat: 1. The definition and classification of Nigrahasthdna`, the first type of `Asadhandnga-vacana.` 2-7. The justification of a constituent of proof in the case of self-nature as reason. 8. The justification of a constituent of proof in the case of effect as reason. 9. Justification of a constitutent of proof in the case of non-apprehension as reason, (Continued Upto Section 29). 10- 12. What kind of non-apprehension proves the practice of non-existence? 13-18. Do all cognitions and verbal usages (and Identities and Differences Amongst them) Prove Existence of Objects (and Identities and Differences Amongst them)? 19. Does Pragmatic Function Prove Existence? Do Identities and Differences Amongst Pragmatic Functions Prove Identities and Differences Amongst the Objects? 20. The Nature of Non-apprehension as Reason. 21-26. Refutation of the Sankhya view that nothing can be said to be non-existent. 27-28. Refutation of Satkaryavdda of Sankhya. 29. Conclusion of the discussion on non-apprehension. 30. Second type of Asadhanangavacana. 31. Third Type of Asadhanangavacana. In what way are Declaration etc. Non-constituents of Proof? 32. Fourth Type of Asadhanangavacana. 33-35. Fifth Type of Asadhanangavacana. 36. The First Type of Adosodbhdvana. 37. Condemnation of Cheating Practices (Qubbling etc.) in the Course of Debate. 38. Second Type of Adosodbhdvana. Part II : Refutation Of The Nyaya-View : 39-41. Criticism of Pratijnahdni as Nigrahasthdna. 42-45. Criticism of Pratijnantara. 46-58. Criticism of Pratijnavirodha. 59. Criticism of Pratijnasamnydsa. 60. Criticism of Hetvantara. 61. On Arthantara. 62. Criticism of Nirarthaka. 63. Criticism of Avijnatartha. 64. Criticism of Aparthaka. 65-68. Criticism of Apraptakala. Do Incorrect Words Make Sense Via the Recollection of Correct Words? 69. Criticism of Nyuna. 70. On Adhika. 71-74. On Punarukta. 75-78. Criticism of Ananubhasana. 79-80. Criticism of Ajnana. 81. On Aprtibha. 82-84. Criticism of Viksepa. 85. Criticism of Matanujna. 86-87. Criticism of Niranuyojyanuyoga. 89-91. Criticism of Apasiddhanta. 92. On Hetvabhasa as Nigrahasthana. Epilogue. Notes. Glossary.

Vadanyaya is an important work by Dharmakirti on the theory of debate. The work is devoted to the rules of victory and defeat in debate. Dharmakirti has used the Nyaya account of debate, not only as a purvapaka, a position to be refuted, but also, at least partly, as a raw material for reconstruction. His criticism of Nyaya is not purely destructive but it has a constructive aspect also. He gives his own classification of nigrahasthanas along with their definitions, in the first half of his work. In the second half he devotes his work to the criticism of Nyaya classification of nigrahasthanas.