Central Philosophy of Jainism Anekanta Vada

Author(s): Bimal Krishna Matilal, Nagin J Shah, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 64

x, y, z, xy, yz, zx, xyz +, -, 0, +, -0, +0, +0
Note that combination in this formula is comparable to the arithmetical conjunction or the truth functional 'and' such that the internal order in a combination is immaterial, there being no need to distinguish between 'xy' and 'yx'. In mathematical terminology, this is called the commutative property of conjunction.
Explanation of the Seven Predicates
The Jainas, however, enumerate the above combinations in a slightly different order (adding "syāt" to each):
1.
3.
6.
2. "From a certain point of view, the pot does not exist."
y
"From a certain point of view, the pot exists and from xy another point of view, it does not exit."
4.
"From a certain point of view, the pot is inexpressible.' 5. "From a certain point of view, the pot both exists and is inexpressible."
7.
"From a certain point of view, or in a certain sense, the pot exists."
55
+ x
-
0 z
+0 xz
"From a certain point of view, the pot both does not -0 yz exist and is inexpressible."
"From a certain point of view, the pot exists, does not +0 xyz exist, and is also inexpressible."
One may note that predication no. 3 in the above list is not the third neutral predicate but a compound one combining the first and the second. In predication no. 4 above, we come across the third primary predicate, "inexpressible."
While explaining the seven predicates, Vidyananda has noted as follows:110
"Someone says, let there be only four types of proposition. This is not tenable. For there are three (further) possibilities by combining the positive, the negative and both of them with the "inexpressible." Thus we have sevenfold predication: (1) affirmation, (2) denial, (3) both affirmation and denial, (4) the joint and simultaneous affirmation and denial, (5) affirmation, and the simultaneous affirmation and denial, (6) denial, and the joint and simultaneous affirmation and denial, (7) affirmation, denial, and the joint and simultaneous affirmation and denial."