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(g) Description of the Subject
Selection of Subject — In several philosophical systems, the description of the subject is primarily epistemology, such as in the systems of Vaisheshika, Samkhya, and Vedanta. The Vaisheshika philosophy explains the world by delineating how many fundamental substances exist, their nature, and how many and what other related entities exist, primarily engaging in the examination of the world’s propositions. The Samkhya philosophy describes nature and person, primarily examining the fundamental principles of the world. Similarly, Vedanta primarily engages in the examination of the fundamental Brahman principle. However, in some philosophies, the examination of conduct (charitra) is central, as seen in Yoga and Buddhist philosophy. Questions about the purity of life, how it can be attained, and what obstacles exist are resolved by the Yoga philosophy through the presentation of the fourfold analysis of suffering, its cause, liberation, and the cause of liberation, while Buddhist philosophy presents the Four Noble Truths. Thus, the subject of the first group of philosophies is the object of knowledge (jñeya), and the second group focuses on conduct (charitra).
Lord Mahavira has given equal importance to both jñeya and charitra in his examination. Therefore, his philosophy articulates the nature of the world through the exposition of living and non-living entities and simultaneously reveals the nature of conduct by describing the principles such as influx, restraint, etc. The essence of his philosophical inquiry reflects both knowledge and conduct.
The interpreters of the Tattvartha, despite being outstanding logicians and divided in sectarian views, discuss and use logic solely to either challenge or support established Jain principles. None of these interpreters have created new concepts or altered the foundational beliefs of the Shvetambara and Digambara traditions. On the other hand, the interpreters of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras engage in discussions so freely with their logic that significant doctrinal differences akin to east and west have arisen among them. What qualities and defects this entails is not the issue at hand; the statement is merely aimed at clarifying the situation. Since it is relative, both qualities and defects can exist in both traditions or may not exist at all.