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SÜTRA 32.
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aspects. While enumerating its various attributes only one aspect can be given prominence at one time. If by so doing we arrive at apparently contradictory results, there is nothing to be afraid of or surprised at it. A substance is a conglomeration of attributes, one may be prominent at one time and another at another
The analogue, in modern science, of the theory of syadvāda, is the Einstein's famous theory of Relativity. Just as the theory of syādvāda was derided and ridiculed by the thinkers of non-Jaina schools, so has been the fate of the theory of Relativity. Several mathematicians laughed and still laugh at the logic of relativity. Sydney A. Reeve, a veteran engineer, denounced the theory of Relativity in the Nation' saying:
"In plain English, the Einstein theory is arrant nonsense, as bodiless a chimera as ever got a great nation on the run.">4 The philosopher Guggenheimer has written a book in which he argues that Einstein has made a very silly basic error in logic.
One may call Einstein or the whole host of leading physicists mere fools but the fact remains that "Relativity is probably the farthest reach that the human mind has made into the unknown ... It is commonly thought of as metaphysical...(but)...it is so mathematical that only a few hundred men in the world are competent to discuss it.”322 The difficult nature of Relativity is beautifully narrated in the following story given by Prof. Max. Born.
A friend of mine was once at a dinner-party and the lady next to him said: "Professor, do tell me in a few words what this theory of relativity really is." He replied: "Of course, I will provided you will let me tell you this little story first. I was going for a walk with a French friend and we got thirsty. By and by we came to a farm and I said: 'Let's buy a glass of milk here.' 'What is milk?' 'Oh, you don't know what milk is? It is the white liquid that...' 'What is white? “White? You don't know what that is either? Well, the swan...' 'What is swan ? 'Swan the big bird with the bent neck.' 'What is bent?' Bent? Good Heavens, don't you know that? Here, look at my arm: when I put it so, it's bent!' 'Oh, that is bent, is it? Now I know what milk is'” After hearing the story the lady expressed that she is now no longer interested in Relativity.
321. Quoted from Ward's 'Exploring the Universe', p. 257. 322. Ibid., p. 236.
