Given below are two statements: One is labelled as assertion (A) and the other is labeled as reason (R)

Assertion (A): Sound is non eternal because it is caused.

Reason (R): The middle term does not prove the eternality of sound but it's non-eternality.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct option is: Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analyzing the Assertion (A):
The Assertion states: "Sound is non-eternal because it is caused."
In classical Indian philosophy (particularly Nyaya), anything that is created or caused (krtaka) is subject to destruction and is therefore non-eternal (anitya). Since sound is produced (caused) by an action or vibration, it must be non-eternal. Thus, Assertion (A) is a true statement.

2. Analyzing the Reason (R):
The Reason states: "The middle term does not prove the eternality of sound but it's non-eternality."
In the syllogism implied by Assertion (A):
- Minor Term (Paksha): Sound (that about which something is observed).
- Major Term (Sadhya): Non-eternal (what we want to prove about the minor term).
- Middle Term (Hetu): Being caused / having a cause.
The middle term "being caused" is universally associated with "non-eternality", not "eternality". Hence, the middle term correctly establishes the non-eternality of sound rather than its eternality. Therefore, Reason (R) is true.

3. Evaluating the Connection:
Since the middle term "being caused" correctly points to the non-eternality of sound (which is the substance of the assertion), Reason (R) serves as the correct explanation for Assertion (A). It validates the logical connection between the cause (being created) and the effect (being non-eternal).