This paper was presented at the
National Seminar on
Indian Psychology: Theories and Models
SVYASA, Bangalore,
December 26 - 28, 2007
 

Pure cognition: psychological fact or logical myth

S.R. Bhatt — Delhi University, Delhi

The present paper aims at analyzing the nature of pure cognition or bare indeterminate awareness which precedes or which is presupposed in arriving at determinate cognition. A determinate cognition, if true, is knowledge. There is a difference of opinion whether pure cognition is a psychological fact or logical presupposition/logical myth. For the school of Nyaya it is more a logical presupposition than a psychological fact, but for the Buddhist thinkers it is a psychological fact. Indian thinkers have taken keen interest in analyzing it and therefore this deserves our attention.

Email the author, Prof. S.R. Bhatt, at srb_indiaphil@yahoo.co.in