counterpositive

[Guest guest]

Namaste Advaitins

In VP the major citation for the concept of the counterpositive begins

on page 62. It is by no means easy to follow. My understanding of it may

be faulty.

 

For a start if we break ‘counterpositive’ down into its elements we get

(a) that which is counter to something (b) that something is positive.

The implication of this is that the original position is a negative one.

Thus the counterpositive of false silver is real silver. The

counterpositive of silveriness in nacre is silveriness in silver. What

you are not denying is silveriness but silveriness with silver as a

substratum.

 

What is the value of the concept of the counterpositive? What sort of

error does it head off? If not there, what sort of hole would it leave

as an entry point for error to make its habitation?

 

Is it a point about attributes and their substratum? The attributes do

not produce the reality of their substratum. Silveriness does not make

silver. Silver is a limiting adjunct (upadhi) of pure consciousness.

That is its reality.

Best Wishes,

Michael.