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THE SUMMARY
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and under all conditions; they are not absolute but merely relative to something. Relativity is therefore the theory of the statement of general physical laws in forms common to all observers. Just as the theory of syādvāda attempts to reconcile the various conflicting schools of philosophy, not by inducing them to abandon their favourite stand-points but by proving to them that the stand-points of all others are alike tenable and represent different aspects of truth, so has the theory of Relativity shed light on age-old controversies. Whether the earth moves round a stationary sun or the sun moves round a stationary earth was debated problem for long. According to Relativity both the statements may be right or wrong depending upon the viewpoints. The truth is that the motion between the sun and the earth is relative. We may assume either the sun or the earth to be stationary depending upon the mathematical convenience.
It is worthy of note that this brilliant theory of stand-points originated with the Jaina thinkers: there is hardly a counter-part of it in other systems of philosophy, oriental or occidental.
