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Faith of an Abhavya: Kundakunda's Heretical Dialectic....
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Kaufmann advocated this canon of integrity, not only for scientists, but for individuals who participate in any system, be it political, religious, interpersonal, philosophical or ethical. Though not a scholar of Jainism, Kaufmann's unique location as a lifetime scholar of religion and philosophy, both east and west along with his emphasis on personal authority and empiricism, makes him an especially useful conversation partner for the present endeavor. His concise and elegant texts, though widely unknown, are germane to contemporary issues of identity and autonomy across disciplines. As such I frequently turn to them to enrich my own thinking and feel compelled to familiarize others with his insights, so relevant for our time. Though the kinship between Kaufmann's sentiments on autonomy and the scientific method of discovery is evident, his canon offers all individuals an epistemological method that values rigorous empiricism, intuition, and the need to articulate "the defects of significant alternatives.”7 Only in weighing such alternatives and considering the various aspects of one's experience can one “choose responsibly,” or act in autonomy.18 Svarāja: A Precedent for Autonomy in Jainism Jains value autonomy as well, and the concept of svarāja or "selfrule” was an essential component for Gandhi's nonviolent movement. Gandhian scholar Pratibha Jain suggests that Gandhi's primary legacies were his autonomous interpretation of Jaina doctrines and the subsequent variations he developed. Gandhi transformed personal practices of nonviolence into collective action and he extended his reinterpretation of vows beyond the purpose of self-purification so that they became tools for political peace that hastened Indian independence. Gandhi even authorized the euthanasia of a calf who was suffering, an act of intervention typically unheard of for Jains." Autonomy is seen in contemporary Jainism as well. Jains develop hybrid worship practices that blend Jaina and Hindu ritual that suit their communities. Jaina art and sculpture integrates Jaina narratives with cultural and social
