Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 608
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Religion
File Size: 9 MB

Page 183

Reality and Matter : Definition, Properties and Classification : 161
6. Others - Deliquescence, Effervescence, plasticity, porosity, solubility, surface tension, diffusion, malleability, viscosity, elasticity, etc.
Per chance, many of these scientific properties are based upon experimentation while the philosophical properties are based on natural observation. It is seen that there is deeper specificity shown by the scientists. The deficiency of general definition is, thus, partly made up by them in this way. Description of General Properties of Mattergy
Most of the general properties pointed out earlier are self explanatory and, per chance, do not require any special description. However, Akalanka44 and Devasena“9 have defined them through their commentaries and aphorisms. The existential property is related with the word 'sat' having a meaning of generality-curn-particularity ( quality and modes ). The quality of Dravyatva-reality-ness refers to changeability while Vastutva refers to functionality of the realities. Visibility should be taken as sense-perceptibility rather than eye-perceptibility only. Livingness refers to the two special qualities of seeing and knowing. Particulate nature and weightlessness refer to the basic atomic nature of the realities. Special Attributes of Mattergy
It has been pointed out that Jainas agree to six basic specifics of mattergy. All of them are sense-perceptible. The non-livingness is characterised by insensibility towards sense and absence of seeing and knowing. Rest of the five are subclassified in Table 9 with mention of innumerable varieties of each of them. Sthānanga mentions that these qualities are known or seen by common man only partially. These properties are co-existing ones. Scientists also agree to them. Thus, the Vaiseșika's view of their non-co-existence seems less scientific. For example, they assume air to have only tactile quality while all these qualities can be perceived in its liquified form.
The sub-classification of these qualities is also varied