Microcosmology Atom in Jain Philosophy and Modern Science

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 167

A Critique
149
i.e., if substantiality is not inherent in the substances, how do the objects (or substances) exist without substantiality ?' Also Jeans' discussion of the degrees of substantiality is not only equivocal but almost absurd. On the other hand, the Jain philosophy furnishes us with the crystal clear definitions of the terms substance, substantially, etc., and proves objectiveness of substantiality on logical and empirical grounds. Substantiality as a purely mental concept is definitely not acceptable to the Jain philosophy. Thus both views vehemently differ from each other on this point.
On the other hand, the eminent philosopher-scientist Sir Albert Einstein asserted the reality of atom and the objective existence of the external world. According to him, "Planck's determination of the true size from the law of radiation (for high temperatures) convinced us of the reality of atom."1
The dialetical materialism supports and corroborates the realist view saying 'the concept of matter epistemologically implies nothing but objective reality existing independently of the human mind... Electrons, ether, etc., exist as objective realities, just as nature existed prior to man and organic matter... The absence of any other kind of mass in the electron except electromagnetic mass...corroborates the objective existence of matter. The electron is to the atom as a full stop is to the size of a building 200 ft. long, 100 ft. broad and 50 ft. high; it moves with a velocity as high as 2,70,000 kms. per second, its mass is a function of its velocity, it makes 500 trillon revolutions in a second. Human reason has discovered... will discover still more....But this does not mean that nature is the creation of our mind or of an abstract mind, i.e. of Ward's God."2
It should not be assumed that all realist views are acceptable to Jains.
The materialists and the Jains - both agree in accepting the objective realism as well as the sensible qualities of matter. "Matter is a philosophical category designating the objective reality which is given to man by his sensations, and which is
1. Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist, p 103.
2. Materialism and Empirio-criticism, pp. 184-85.