Jainism as Metaphilosophy

SR No.: 001194
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S Gopalan
Publisher: Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1991
Total Pages: 92
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Philosophy
File Size: 5 MB

Page 27

Jainism As Metaphilosophy
17
'outside', the phenomena observable through perception and the characteristics they possess are at first looked into. While attempting to understand external Reality, however a deeper probe into the relationship between the observed phenomena and the features they possess, results. This technically is the problem of Substance and attributes. In addition, observance of a sequential relationship between phenomena leads to analysis of the precise relationship between them. This broadly indicates the philosophers' concem with the universal law of causation. The systematic characteristic of the universe and the existence of a meaningful structure seem to suggest themselves as a result.
Sooner or later, attention of the philosopher is incvitably turned on the inner world of human cxperiencc; and, questions hitherto posed in regard to the outer world are now addressed to the internal aspects of one's existence and transformed into a dccpcr analysis of the subjective aspects of existence in general. What is important to note here is that there is not only an attempt at finding, within the internal world of human experience, correlates of principles at work in the external world but also an effort at comprehending the differentiating characteristics of the inner world itself. While 'substantiality' and existence' may be considered "shared characteristics” possessed by the outer and thc inner aspects of Reality respectively, the distinguishing feature of the latter is identified as the possession of consciousness.
The Jaina theory of ajiva and jiva referred to briefly in an earlier section may thus be seen to imply a concerted attempt at comprehending the nature of Reality from the objective and the subjective angles respectively. It implies further that analysis of Reality cannot be confined to the outer aspects alone though the process of analysis) may commence with the 'external'. Thirdly, since the analysis of Rcality is attempted by man who is in quest of understanding it, the identification of the subjective aspects inevitably signifies for man also a right understanding of himself as an aspect of Reality and more especially the way he is related to it.
This indeed makes for an understanding of Reality which is not directed merely at an examination of the status quo but a reflection of what ought to be the case. The dissatisfaction with the status quo may be considered to give impetus to this scarch sor the understanding of the righi relationship between man's innermost being and the peripheral aspects of his own personality on the one hand and, on the other, to the