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NAYAVĀDA THE DOCTRINE OF STANDPOINTS
The doctrine of standpoints is the characteristic feature of Jainism. The pluralistic realism of Jainas asserts that not merely reality consists of many-ness but it is also manifold. Jainism attaches great importance to Anekānta logic which brings out the complex character of reality. As regards the place of Anekānta logic in Jaina philosophy it is pointed out that “It is in Jainism what the science of Ideas is in Plato or the Metaphysics in Aristotle”.! The standpoint of Anekāntavāda is realistic. The realistic nature of Jaina point of view is further manifested in theory of Nayas or standpoints. In fact, doctrine of nayas which is so essential in Jaina logic is basic to any science of thought. Correct or valid knowledge involves correct understanding of diverse aspects of an object. However, only omniscients can obtain such a complete knowledge. But Jainas emphatically assert that this need not lead us to scepticism. Valid knowledge of one or the other attribute of an object is possible if we consider different ways of approach. The cardinal principle is that truth is relative but relative to our standpoints. The character of
