The Fallacy of Changing the Argument in Vedic Logic

In Vedic and, more specifically, Nyaya logic, the fallacy of changing the argument is a well-defined concept with a specific Sanskrit name.

The Sanskrit Term: Arthāntara (अर्थान्तर)

Literal Meaning: The word is a compound of Artha (अर्थ), meaning "meaning," "object," or "purpose," and Antara (अन्तर), meaning "different" or "other." So, it literally translates to "a different meaning" or "a different object."

Technical Meaning: It is the fallacy of diverting the discussion to a point that is different from the one originally stated or intended. The opponent, unable to defend the original point, subtly shifts the ground of the debate to something else.

Definition and Context in Nyaya Logic

In the Nyaya school, which systematized the rules of debate and logic, a proper argument must have a clear and stable Pratijñā (प्रतिज्ञा) or thesis. Arthāntara is the fallacy of abandoning or altering this initial thesis during the course of the debate. It is a fallacy of irrelevance, similar to the "Red Herring" or "Moving the Goalposts" in Western logic.

Example of Arthāntara

The Original Argument (Pratijñā): "Sound is non-eternal because it is produced, like a pot."

The Opponent's Fallacious Reply (Arthāntara): "You say sound is produced, but what about 'space' (ākāśa)? Is space produced? Let's debate that instead!"

Here, the opponent has failed to address the original issue of "sound" and has shifted the argument to the nature of "space." This is a classic case of Arthāntara.

Relationship to Other Similar Fallacies

Arthāntara is closely related to another important fallacy, Hetvāntara (हेत्वन्तर), but they are distinct.

Arthāntara:

Changing the subject or thesis of the argument.

Hetvāntara:

Changing the reason (hetu) for the thesis. Here, the proponent changes the reason for his original statement mid-argument because the first reason he gave was found to be faulty.

Analogy to Illustrate the Difference

Consider you are defending the statement, "This car is the best."

An Arthāntara would occur if, when challenged, you shifted to arguing that "German engineering is the best." You have changed the subject from the specific car to a general concept.

A Hetvāntara would occur if you first said, "This car is the best because it is red." When someone proves the color is irrelevant, you then say, "I meant it's the best because it has high horsepower." You have changed the reason for your thesis.

Summary

Aspect	Description
Sanskrit Name	Arthāntara (अर्थान्तर)
Literal Meaning	"A Different Meaning" or "A Different Object"
Technical Meaning	The fallacy of shifting the thesis or subject of the debate to an irrelevant point.
Western Equivalent	Changing the Arhument, Red Herring, Ignoratio Elenchi
Key Differentiator	It is a change of the subject matter (Pratijñā), not the reason (Hetu).

So, when you encounter a debater in a classical Indian context who subtly changes the topic to avoid addressing the original point, you are witnessing the fallacy of Arthāntara.