Jaina Philosophy of Language

SR No.: 001601
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2006
Total Pages: 168
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Language
File Size: 10 MB

Page 147

Language and Truth:
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given by the moon or eyes with that of the eyes of deer. Here, the moon and the face are two different entities but in simile this type of usage are common. In popular language such expressions are taken as true.
In all the above ten varieties of truth, emphasis is given on linguistic truth in stead of the factual truth. These 'truths' are 'true' only in language. No doubt, truth of a statement is ultimately dependent upon its correspondence with facts, but due to its pragmatic utility it is enumerated in the category of truth. Untrue or false Language
The Jaina philosophers, alongwith the natures of truth have also discussed in detail the nature of untruth. A statement is untrue if it does not correspond with its fact. In Praśnavyākaraņa, there is a wide discussion held on untruth. It gives thirty synonyms of untruth." Mainly untruth statements are of four kinds:
1. Alika (False): To say existent, which is non-existent.
2. Avalopa (Taken off): To describe a thing as non-existing, which is existent.
3. Viparita (Opposite): To describe a thing in a different manner or contrary to its nature, is apposite untrue statement.
4. Ekānta (One-sided): To describe a thing in a one-sided manner, eliminating its other aspects, is called ekānta. It is also called as durnaya.
Besides, violent words, bitter words, deceitful words and faultfinding words are also described by the Jainas as kind of untruth statements.
In Bhagavatī-ārādhanā 2 the following four kinds of untruth statements are enumerated (i) rejecting something which really exists (ii) accepting something which is non-existent. (iii) the statement contrary to its nature (iv) speaking censurable, unpleasant and objectionable or disdainful statement.
Prajñāpanā-sūtra mentions ten types of untruth language (mộșābhāṣā) respectively caused by (1) anger (2) pride (3) deceit (4) greed (5) love (6) enmity (7) humour (8) fear (9) story and (10) injury.13