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Jaina Logic
351
Though this third mode is formed by taking together the first two modes, its function is different from those of the first two modes. The function which this third mode, pertaining to the existence-cum-nonexistence, performs can never be performed by the mode pertaining to existence alone or by the mode pertaining to non-existence alone. Simple proposition is one thing and compound proposition is another thing. Though number 'three' is arrived at by adding number 'one' and number 'two', yet number 'three' is different from number 'one' and number 'two'. The necessity of such compound proposition lies in the need of comprehensive view of the positive and the negative characters of an object. The compound or conjunctive proposition presenting consecutive togetherness (of existence and non-existence) which is no less a unique or distinctive moment of factual significance than any other can never be regarded as redundant or superfluous.
Fourth mode: The fourth mode is represented by the proposition "From a certain standpoint, a thing is certainly inexpressible".
What is the standpoint from which a thing is certainly inexpressible? Or, what is the sense in which a thing is certainly inexpressible? We attempt to answer this question in what follows.
One can easily understand that a thing is inexpressible or indescribable from the standpoint of its nature of having infinite characters. But all the seven modes of a sevenfold judgement or predication applyor refer to one character only. So this fourth mode pertaining to inexpressibility of a thing is to be explained or interpreted with reference to any one of the infinite characters like existence, etc. If taking into account any one of the infinite pairs of opposite characters like existence and non-existence, permanence and impermanence, etc., we can describe a thing as of the nature of both existence and non-existence, etc., then how can it be inexpressible?
That the opposite characters in the pair of existence and non-existence cannot be expressed simultaneously is the reason why a thing is presented as inexpressible. The two words meaning existence and non-existence can never be uttered simultaneously. As a result, it is impossible to predicate
1. And there is no one word in the language which means both existence and non
existence together. But supposing there were such a word, still it would present the two meanings to the mind one after another.
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