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THE SCIENCE OF THOUGHT.
not an appropriative being, it, too, would resemble a looking glass, and would content itself by merely reflecting the image of the object before it; but it is obvious that it would have no knowledge in that case.
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Further reflection would reveal the fact that the state of consciousness, 'I know it thus,' is not only necessary for knowledge to become the property of, or to be appropriated by the knower,' but would also be impossible unless consciousness illumined, that is to say knew itself. Now, since every one's experience bears testimony to this state, it must be conceded that the soul knows itself as well as the object of knowledge simultaneously, that is at one and the same time.
In addition to the illumination of the self and the object of knowledge, the process and the result, or fruit, of knowledge also occur at the same time, for the functioning of consciousness is necessary for an act of cognition, and the acquisition of knowledge resulting in the destruction of ignorance is a concomitant of such functioning.
Jain Education International
CHAPTER XI.
The determination of truth is independent of senses, though the validity of knowledge at times immediately follows perception. This is
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