Jaina Logic

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Raja Krisen Jain Charitable Trust New Delhi

Page 29

Jaina Logte
Jainism meets the extremes and presents a view of reality which comprehends the various sides of reality to give a synthetic picture of the whole. It recognises the principles of distinction and develops the comprehensive scheme of Anekanta realism. Anekanta is the 'most consistent form of rcalism', as it allows the principle of distinction to run its full course until it reaches its logical terminus on the theory of manifold reality and knowledge.is
Anekanta consists in many-sided approach to the study of problems. It emphasizes a catholic outlook towards all that we sce and experience. Intellectual tolerance is the foundation of this doctrine. It arose as an antidote to the one-sided and absolute approach to the study of reality of the philosophers at that time. It arose out of the confusion of the conflicting views of the philosophers and religious men on the problem of the nature of reality. The Upanigadic philosophers sought to find the facts of experience.
This search gave rise to many philosophical theories. Buddhism tried to present a fresh and a different approach in the Madhyama-pratipāda Drsti The Anekānta view presents a coherent picture of the philosophers, pointing out the important truths in each of them. It looks at the problem from various points of view. The cardinal principle of the Jaina philosophy is its Anekänta which emphasizes that there is not only diversity but that real is equally diversified'. Anekanta approach to the problems of reality emphasises that reality is complex. Truth is many sided. It can be looked at from different points of view. It emphasises the catholic approach towards all that we experience. It implies that others' views have also value. It negates dogmatism and respects the others' points of view. But to look at reality from a particular point
19. Padmarajiah (Y. J.) Jaina Theory of Reality and knowledge. (Jaina
Sabityu Vikas Mandala, Bombay (1963) P. 274. 20, Mookerjed: The Jaina Philosophy of Non-Absolutism
(Bharati Mahavidyalaya) 1944, P. 70.