Gems of Jainism

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

Page 67

58
knowledge than reason. Intuitive knowledge is knowledge by identity; it is the direct knowledge, which is final and supreme. Reason works under the limitations of senses and categories of mind and so fails to fathom the depth of Reality or to realize the Absolute. Intuition is free from all such limitations. It is experienced when one is free from egoistic existence, the ego should disappear and the individual becomes the instrument of the universal.' Intuitiveknowledge, is not non-rational; it is only non conceptual. Intuition is the very base of reason. Intuition is direct and immediate perception. Though there is a seeming opposition between intellect and intuition, and not between reason and intuition, the intuition always needs intellect for the expression, elaboration and justification of its result. Intuition in itself is dumb. Intuition needs intellect; and intellect, on the other hand, presupposes intuition. Intuition often is misunderstood as anti-intellectualism. "Intuition which ignores intellect is useless. The two are not only incompatible but vitally united. Intuition is beyond reason. though not against reason. As it is the response of the whole man to reality, it involves the activity of reason also"
Compatibility of Reason and Faith:
Gems of Jainism
Thinkers in the west held that "some things can be known through Divine Faith which cannot be discovered in any other way, and some things can be known by reason which are not revealed, and some things can be known in both ways," Thinkers in East have never thought this way. However, it becomes very important to know the compatibility of Reason and Faith for a better understanding. We all know and accept that some things can be known only by revelation and they are called strict mysteries, "mysteria strict dicta"; they are truths for which no adequate evidence or reason would ever be available. The things which are objects both of reason and faith are those truths which are difficult for men to discover and which are necessary for a man's faith. Such objects common to both faith and reason (eg. The existence of God) are called the "Preambula Fidei" the prerequisites or