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Society, Epistemology and Logic in Indian Tradition
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doctrine of nayābhāsa has wider applicability which goes beyond the domain of Indian philosophical systems. It can be applied to absolute dogmatic views held by some western philosophers as well. For example Platonism which holds only universal ideas as real and empirical objects as appearances would amount to aparasangrahābhāsa. Phenomenalism which accepts only immediately given sense datum as real would amount to rjusūtrābhāsa. Cartesian view of absolute distinction between mind and matter would be a case of naigamābhāsa.”
Jaina Doctrine of Nayābhāsa in this way can be appreciated as an important contribution to non-formal logical thinking in Indian philosophy. Saptabhangi-naya
Theory of Sabtabhanginaya is an expansion of naya theory. Predications about any thing can be seven in nature. If we say about existence of a soul then the statements may be made as follows:1. Relatively Rāma exists (syādasti Rāmaḥ) This relativity refers to present substance, space, time and mode about Rāma. 2. Relatively Rāma does not exists (syād nāsti Ramaḥ) - This also refers to some relative term that ancient Rāma, son of Daśaratha does not exist. 3. Relatively Rāma exists and does not exist (syād asti, syad nāsti Rāmaḥ) (if statement is made in a certain order then both the facts may be said in this way) 4. Relatively it is in-expressible (syād avaktavyaḥ) - if we say simutaneously about Rāma's existence and inexistence, then it is in-expressible.
