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Jain Philosophy of Soul
103 Just like the negation and opposite words, there is one more proof to prove the existence and that is the relation between the utterer and utterance (Vācaka and Vaccya) whatever that is uttered : words, sentences etc., presupposes the utterer, The soul is the utterer because every utterance is a cognitive activity and cognition is an attribute of the soul. This brings before us even the presupposition of substance through quality. Knowedge is the quality, which is not possible without the substratum of substance. Knowledge is the quality of soul and therefore the existence of soul is proved even metaphysically.
One more proof, is the use of words like 'T', 'my', 'mine' etc. The famous philosopher Descartes when says 'Cogito Ergo Sum : (I think therefore I am). the thinking quality of the soul proves the existence of soul.
In all the above referred cases, even if someone doubts, the very doubt also proves the existence. Who doubts? And obviously we know it is the soul that doubts.
Let us now see some of the arguments based on different Pramāṇas to prove the existence of soul. The existence of soul can be proved by many Pramāņas.” As far as the direct experience is concerned, I never doubt my existence. I know I exist and therefore soul becomes self-evident. The soul being subtle can't be sensuously experienced, however the happiness and unhappiness is its direct evidence. The existence of an object can also be proved through inference. Inference is considered as a valid source of knowldege (Pramāna) by almost all the systems of Indian thought including Jainism. “Just like the gold in earth, curd in milk, and oil in oilseeds, the soul is there in the body.'14
Thus through the pleasures and pains of the body we can infer the soul. The existence of soul can logically be inferred with the help of a metaphysical principle. We very well know that an object is substance and qualities. What is perceived or felt by us are the qualities. Both substance and qualities are inseparable. Substance is always in form or with the qualities and qualities in their pure form i.e. without substance can not exist. Thus from the qualities like, knowledge, happiness, unhappiness etc, we infer the substance. This substance is the soul. Again every action or deed presupposes the doer of the deed.
14. Tratura
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4, grey Jen gai i 79 ti, 46487 791 Fita 1 - Ganadharavāda III, p. 6.
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