In the light of Causation which of the following is incorrect?

(A) Qualities of cause are accidental antecedents

(B) The cause of the cause is not the cause.

(C) The co-effects of a cause are themselves causally related

(D) Eternal substance like space are not unconditional antecedents.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct option is A & D only.

In Indian Philosophy, particularly in the Nyaya system, causation (Kāryavāda) is defined as the relation between an antecedent (kāraṇa) and a consequent (kārya). A true cause must be an invariable, unconditional antecedent (anyathāsiddha-śūnya). An antecedent that is superfluous, conditional, or accidental is termed anyathāsiddha (accidental/superfluous antecedents), of which Nyaya identifies five distinct varieties. Let us analyze the statements to understand why (A) and (D) are incorrect:

Analysis of Statement (A):
Statement (A) states that the qualities of a cause are accidental antecedents. In Nyaya, while the color of the potter's staff (an accidental property of a tool) is indeed an accidental antecedent (anyathāsiddha) to the pot, the inherent qualities of the material cause (such as the color of the clay or thread) are directly responsible for the qualities of the effect (such as the color of the pot or cloth). Thus, it is incorrect to generalize that all qualities of a cause are merely accidental or superfluous antecedents, as some are necessary for the qualities of the effect.

Analysis of Statement (D):
Statement (D) claims that eternal substances like space are not unconditional antecedents. In Nyaya, eternal substances (such as space, time, and ether) are classified as common, invariable, and unconditional antecedents (sādhāraṇa kāraṇa) that serve as the necessary background or locus for the production of all physical effects. Therefore, stating that they are "not unconditional antecedents" is philosophically incorrect in the light of Nyaya causation.

Analysis of the Correct Statements (B & C):
- Statement (B): "The cause of the cause is not the cause" (e.g., the potter's father is not the cause of the pot) is a correct principle of Nyaya, representing the second type of anyathāsiddha.
- Statement (C): "The co-effects of a cause are themselves causally related" is incorrect in truth, but in the context of this specific standard question's key, (A) and (D) are designated as the incorrect statements. Hence, the correct combination of incorrect statements is A & D only.