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How to avoid the flaw of infinite regress.

Question 7.0 (3/1/2011):Madhvacarya

In Indian philosophy, how does Madhvacarya's theory of visesa avoid the dosa (flaw) of anavastha (infinite regress)?

The answer was C: Madhvacarya holds that visesa is svanirvahaka (possessing self-sufficiency).

Madhva's ontology addresses the relationships between all entities and their respective attributes and the perception of these relationships. Are entities and their attributes the same or are they different from one another?

If 'A' is different from 'B,' where does the attribute 'difference' (which will be called D1) between the two reside?

Surely, D1 must be different from A, its substrate. But if it were, then it would necessitate another 'difference,' D2, between the D1 and A, the substrate and so on an anavastha (infinite regress).

Madhvacarya posits a new category to avoid the anavastha. This ontological category with epistemological import is the visesa (distinguishing property), which resides between an object and an attribute. Madhvacarya's solution concerns the ability of the visesa to establish difference without necessitating another visesa. Madhvacarya explains that visesa is svanirvahaka (possessing self-sufficiency) and thereby does not require another visesa.

Question courtesy of Deepak Sarma, PhD, associate professor of South Asian religions. Sarma is a 2007 recipient of the university's Carl F. Wittke Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.


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