Indian Debate Theory

Sambhasha Explained

Prabhu, U. M. (n.d.). Rishis as Elephants. India Mahesh. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.indiamahesh.com/2020/03/rishis-as-elephants/.

Indians love to debate, it is in the DNA of the subcontinent and bleeds into the entirety of Dharmagan. Over the course of centuries, Indian thinkers begin to recognize methods of acceptable reasonable debate, and distinguishing them from the unacceptable Hetvabhasha or pseudo-reasoning debates. The branch of philosophy which studies the theories of reasoning and logic in debate is called Hetu Vidya or Hetu Shastra. The instructions which guide debaters in proper learning methods, proper conduct, and successful debates are the Vada and Tarka vidya (Chandra.) The oldest known text in Hetu Vidya is the Tantrayukti which explains structured arguments, and was compiled to structure debates in Parishads. Parishads are learned councils or academia. Debates and arguments were recognized both as Tarka vidya, the art of logical reasoning, and Hetu vidya, science of causes, following the path of a well-disciplined method of inquiry or anvikshiki, testing scriptural knowledge by further scrutiny (DharmaWiki.)Thus, all Dharmika scholars are trained in Tarka Vidya, which is the art and skill of conducting successful debates and arguments — Sambhasha, or Vada Vidi, in Parishads. This training includes the following (DharmaWiki):

1. Methods of presenting arguments as per a logically structured format
2. Ways to stoutly defend one’s thesis by means of Pramana, or genuine source of knowledge
3. To attack the opponent’s thesis by means of indirect arguments — Tarka
4. Estimating the strengths and weaknesses of arguments of either side
5. Establishing one’s own points while setting aside those of the opponent

The training also includes the conduct necessary to handle different types of challenges (DharmaWiki):

1. How to vanquish a person of blazing fame
2. How to behave with a senior opponent
3. How to handle an aggressive and troublesome opponent
4. How to conduct oneself in prestigious Parishads, to influence the flow of debate and to impress the judges and the audience, etc.

The two key texts which explain the different debates are the Charaka Samhita, and Nyaya Sutra (DharmaWiki.)

Caraka-Saṃhitā

The Charaka Samhita differentiates two types of Sambhasa or debates. Sandhaya Sambhasha, the friendly discussion, and Vigrhya Sambhasha, the hostile and challenging discussion (DharmaWiki.)

The traits of Sandhaya Sambhasha are:

1. Participants having scientific knowledge
2. Power of argument and counter argument
3. Correct knowledge
4. Not rejoicing defeat of opponents
5. Answering questions with confidence
6. Having a polite approach with the opponent

Sandhaya Sambhasha occurs with a person who is knowledgeable and experienced, thoroughly trained in statements and responses, does not get angered, is insightful and specialized in the subject, who is not extremely critical and difficult to please, is easily persuaded, and is themselves possess proficient persuasion skills, is tolerant of speech, and has a pleasant speech themselves (Chandra.)

Vigrhya Sambhasha, the hostile and challenging debate, is conducted by examining the good and bad qualities of the opponent based on which opponents are classified into superior, equal and inferior (DharmaWiki.)

It is stated that one should not participate in a debate against a superior opponent, nor should one use tricky procedures to defeat an inferior opponent (DharmaWiki.) The debaters must be familiar with logical terms known as the 44 Vada marga pada. These terms are the standards which determine victory in a debate.

Nyāya Sūtra

The Nyaya Sutra distinguishes three types of debate.

1. Vada — the good, honest debate, which has the goal of pursuing only the truth.
2. Jalpa — the bad and tricky debate, where the goal is to win by any means.
3. Vitanda — a wrangling, destructive debate, which has the goal is to destroy the opponent by any means.

Vada is characterized by the usage of logical arguments, and rational proper methods of establishing a thesis or main argument (Dasti.)
Jalpa seeks nothing but victory. Wit, and intelligence are used for tricks, false moves, and unfair means (Dasti.) If debaters are equal in capability, the debate can be kept within the bounds of rationality. Jalpa takes places in front of a panel of judges called madhyastha, and a chairman who is usually the organizer of the debate. The consensus of the judges declares the winner. Competitive debate falls under this category.
Vitanda is the notorious debate which seeks the destruction of the opposition. Trickery, and simply refuting the thesis without providing any counter-thesis are used in this debate (Dasti.) However, according to philosophers like Sri Harsha, and Nagarjuna, if the refutations of the opposing thesis were done with good reason and evidence without providing a counter-thesis, the debate would not be poor. This argument caused Gauda Sanatani to divide Vitanda into two seperate types: a type modeled on Jalpa where only refutation is needed, and a type modeled on Vada where only the refutation of the thesis is needed (DharmaWiki.)

Sambhāṣaprakārā — Debate Types

Compiling all this information from different scholars, and traditions we can conclude that the General Dharmika Debate theory has four types of debate:

1. Samvada — measured by the honesty of the purpose
2. Vada — measured by the quality of debate
3. Jalpa — measured by the skills and decorum
4. Vitanda- measured by the mutual regard of the participants

Samvada is simple discourse or the imparting of knowledge through teaching. Vada, Jalpa, and Vitanda are structured debates based on the tantrayukti.

Future essays will cover each of these four debate types with details regarding their conduct, and the different elements involved.

Sources:

Chandra, V. S. (2002). A History of Indian Logic: Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern Schools. Motilal Banarsidass.

Dasti, M. R. (n.d.). Nyāya. Internet encyclopedia of philosophy. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://iep.utm.edu/nyaya/#H1.

Rodrigues, H. (2015, March 4). THE NYAYA DARSANA. Mahavidya. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from http://www.mahavidya.ca/2015/03/04/the-nyaya-darsana/.

Dharmawiki Editiors. (n.d.). Types of discourse (सम्भाषाप्रकाराः). Dharmawiki. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://dharmawiki.org/index.php/Types_of_Discourse_(%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%83)#.E0.A4.B8.E0.A4.AE.E0.A5.8D.E0.A4.AD.E0.A4.BE.E0.A4.B7.E0.A4.BE.E0.A4.AA.E0.A5.8D.E0.A4.B0.E0.A4.95.E0.A4.BE.E0.A4.B0.E0.A4.BE.E0.A4.83_.E0.A5.A5_Types_of_Sambhasha.

Rao, S. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://sreenivasaraos.com/tag/vada-vidya/.