Vada, Jalpa, Vitanda, Chala, Jati, and Nigrahasthana
Three debate forms
Nyaya distinguishes vada, jalpa, and vitanda. Vada is a truth-directed debate in which both sides use pramanas and accept defeat by reason. Jalpa is a winning debate that may use chala, jati, and nigrahasthana to score a victory. Vitanda is destructive criticism that refutes the opponent without establishing a counter-thesis.
Devices and defeat
- Chala is a verbal quibble, often by exploiting a word's literal, generic, or figurative sense.
- Jati is a futile objection based on similarity, dissimilarity, or other irrelevant grounds; the sutra tradition lists twenty-four types.
- Nigrahasthana is a ground of defeat, such as contradicting one's own thesis, giving a reason that is not established, or failing to answer a valid objection. The list is traditionally twenty-two.
Worked example
In a vada, a disputant argues, 'Sound is non-eternal because it is produced.' The opponent replies, 'Your word sound may mean a word or a noise, so your reason is unclear.' If this is a deliberate quibble over sense, it is chala. If the opponent merely attacks the thesis but refuses to assert 'sound is eternal,' the debate has shifted toward vitanda. A judge records a nigrahasthana only when a stated defeat condition is met, not when one side simply disagrees.
Traps
Do not equate jalpa with vitanda. Do not treat every clever reply as chala. Do not say nigrahasthana is a pramana. Do not assume a debate is vada merely because the topic is philosophical.