Jain System in Nutshell

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Nij Gyan Sagar Shiksha Kosh Santa MP

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learns about is a relative knowledge which may be partially true. This individualised aspect is called Standpointism (Nayavada) in Jainism. As there are many aspects, the overall integrated outlook will be called 'May-be-ism' or relativism (Syadvada). This relativistic realism, in contrast to absolutism, has been the backbone of Jainas' scientific approach.
It has been pointed out that there could be a maximum of sevenfold predication about an object. Kothari29 has shown that this concept is supported by the superposition principle of quantum mechanics where exactly seven-fold description is permissible. The Jaina concept may not be quantitative but its intellectual practice and soundness cannot be doubted. This multi-aspectal approach is also the basis of Bohr's complemetarity principle as explained by Muniji and Kothari. However, the Jainas have gone beyond scientists'uncertainty principle by clearly advocating the indescribablity of the overall nature of objects or reality in their fourth predication out of seven. This could be mathematically modelled as the truth, T is integral of infinite aspects, p,
+00
s p.dp = T = 0
suggesting ideal truth as one but indescribable (0). Alternatively, on the seven fold predication basis,
s p.dp = T = 24
where 24 parameters are virtually insolvable", thus again leading to indescriblity of truth. Lenin also corroborates this fact.42 The reader is referred to books by Muni, Mukherji and Kothari for further elaboration on this point. (iii) Jain Logic
The physical phenomena could be learnt through direct or indirect sensory observations and their intellectual or inferential examination. Though it is said that sensory perception is empirical but common man has no better alternative for his direct learning. This consists of four steps an said earlier, Moreover, he can move towards indirect or inferential knowledge too with the help of this method. Logicians have developed five-fold syllogism in this regard to reach a conclusion. A man looks at a mountain with a smoke. He will infer the presence of fire there on the basis of following five-fold syllogism: (i) There is fire on the mountain (Thesis, analysis) (ii) Because there is smoke over there (Reason, observation) (iiia) Wherever there is smoke, there is fire as in kitchen (illustration,
observation)