Concept · Cognitive Bias: Indian logic fallacies (Nyāya tradition, c. 6th BCE–2nd CE)
Satpratipaksa (contradicted reason)
Origin: Nyāya tradition
Biological Parallel
Claim: 'Bright coloration indicates health' (handicap principle). Counter-claim: 'Bright coloration indicates toxicity' (aposematism). Both reasons are valid in different contexts—satpratipaksa (contradicted reason). When equally strong reasons support opposite conclusions, inference is suspended. Sexual selection vs predator defense create contradictory selection pressures: same trait (brightness) signals opposite things. The Nyāya solution: specify context. Without domain restriction, contradicted reasons cancel.