Gems of Jainism

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Academy of Philosophy

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Reason and Faith in Jainism
mean by east and west. Even then, keeping the thinkers and philosophers, and their thoughts and philosophy, we find two approaches to reality. The east lays emphasis on the development of the powers of intuition and the west on the faculty of intelligence. The eastern systems are mainly idealistic, spiritualistic, axiological and intuitive. The western systems are mainly rational, intellectual, realistic, scientific and existential. Besides noting these two basic approaches, one should also note that the human mind does not function in fractions or sections. Intellect, emotion and will all spring from the same spiritual fount. In order to understand religion one has to understand the spirit, which is at the core of religion. In other words, understanding spirit is understanding religion. We can say 'Sadhana' is nothing but the process to understand and grasp the spirit. With this we find the use of reason or logic is not eliminated altogether; rather when the rational mind realizes its own limitations, it makes room for the spirit to reveal itself. Concluding the argument we can say understanding reason, intuition, intellect and faith will always help us to understand the religion. Reason and Intuition :
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Reason essentially is a human phenomenon that has a capacity to use universal concepts. Etymologically the word 'Reason' is derived from 'ratio' meaning relation. "In the most generalized sense of all, reason might be defined as the rational element of intelligence." The thinkers and philosophers use the word reason in a wider sense. Reason is not mere abstract or formal but it is higher and synthetic. It operates through the whole of mind. " It (reason) is the whole mind in action, the indivisible root from which all other faculties arise" One should also be clear about the difference between the reason and intellect. Intellect is abstract and partial. Reason, unlike intellect, is comprehensive and synthetic. Reason is superior to intellect. Reason is a sort of contemplation and is also a principle of the identity of opposites.
Intuition essentially is a subjective experience, and, like reason, is a source of knowledge. Intuition is a higher source of