________________
Biology in Jaina Treatise on Reals
affirmations). All these reasons suffer from the fallacies of (a) unprovenness (b) contrariety and (c) inconclusion.
In contrast, the existence of soul can be proved by the following inferences :
There is an eternal soul because (i) it has no cause for origin (ii) it is not an effect and (iii) it is imperceptible by common men like the fine earth etc. The soul has a substantivity and modality. On the modal basis also, the soul can be proved on the grounds of inferences with contrastingly contrary reasons. 13. Muni Mahendra and others have given a summary of logical and other evidences in support of the existence of the soul in their books. 14. Consciousness has been studied in current psychology. It is said to be an abstract construct involving subjective private experience of two primary (perceiving, feeling) and two secondary (thinking and willing) functions. These are related with sensations and emotions. It responds to stimulants. It is not definite whether it plays an active or passive role in our behaviour. It is pointed out that consciousness, brain and behaviour are directly related. Formerly, mind and soul were taken to be synonymous. However, it is now agreed that mind is associated with physical brain in the form of hologram. It is sufficiently vociferous and moves much faster. It is a broader term than consciusness and involves totality of conscious experiences. The consciousness also involves cognitions, volitions and motivations.
The differentia of consciousness has been studied not only in psychology but in neurophysiology and physiology also. The psychologists, however, feel to-date that though ultimate understanding of the essence of consciousness may be beyond the capacity of men, still they have been able to explore about its functions and utility of sufficient interest to us. Some have called it a sixth sense. It seems to direct the brain processes which also direct the mind. Though the role of consciousness in its functions is not definitely proved. however, electrical simulation experiments have shown that these depend upon the physical structure and function of brain tissues. It depends mutually on the activity of brain. The reticular activating system seems to serve as the switch for consciousness. This could also be attested by the change of consciousness states by the psychedelic drugs, deep sleep, brain damazer or meditation. These states vary with individuals where three levels of consciousness have been proposed- (i) conscious (ii) subconscious and (iii) unconscious- the last one being brought to consciousness under unusual circumstance like meditation.
All this gives a mechanical interpretation for consciousness. However, the majority of the functions of soul are performed by the consciousness-brainbehaviour trio. This psychological view point about consciousness is in tune with Vaisesika-Nyāya school which postulates the consciousness as an adventitious quality of soul and different from it. In contrast, the Jainas contend
87
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
