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Anekanta: Philosophy of co-existence
In order to realise the meaning of a word when the word is expressive of the meaning, then the synonym available helps avail concrete knowledge of its word meaning. For instance, when the word man is mentioned, then the meaning of man as living being is realised. According to word viewpoint this is its right usage. Since, the viewpoint of function (evambhoot) naya accepts the ontological aspect of synonym it does not accept the living being called man as man due to the lack of his thinking action. According to this stream of thought, one who thinks is man so the word man (manushya) means man only at the time when he thinks. We can even utilise the example of the clay pot. According to the thought process of word viewpoint a clay container having a particular shape is called a clay pot. The viewpoint of function however does not think it proper to associate it with such a meaning if it is not engaged in the act of drawing or retaining water. According to word viewpoint a pot is a pot whether it is engaged in the act of drawing and holding water or not. But according to the viewpoint of function a pot is a pot because it does the work of drawing and holding water. At the time it does not do the work of drawing and holding water, it stops being a pot. The perspective of the viewpoint of function is an absolutely perfect one for gaining meaning. Based on it one can move on to progressive thinking beyond the bondage of orthodox traditional thinking.
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