Structure and Functions of Soul in Jainism

Author(s): S C Jain
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

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48 :: Structure and Functions of Soul in Jainism
comprehensions are true conditionally i.e. in a particular context. If a context is defined, the Jaina will find no fault with the resulting partial comprehension. He holds it true to reality because reality must yield such a partial view if an abstraction from reality in accordance with the view point of the knower is effected.
Import of Contexts or Reference-Systems in the Jaina Dialectic
Reality shows signs of difference and unity sumultaneously and the Jaina holds that both of them belong to it as its traits. Hence our perceptions of the one or the other aspect must be equally true. According to the Jaina the partial comprehensions always need a context. The same real, when placed in different contexts yields different views; and our experience will also show that the partial views are not merely mental constructions. There is something ontologically valid in the things themselves, which makes its isolation and partial comprehension possible. Prof. Einstein illustrates the relativity of perception as “If a stone is dropped from a running train it will appear to describe a parabola to man on the embankment and a perpendicular downward line to man in the train.” It must be held that the path of the stone is such that it can be seen as a perpendicular from one angle of vision and as a parabola from another. Both the perceptions cannot be said to be absolutely independent of the object perceived. The same fact is seen in different ways, when the contexts governing them are changed. The Jaina dialectic just supplies the necessary reference-systems with reference to which a real must be comprehended. There is a way by following which reality can be perceived as a multiplicity or a unity; and when contexts are further multiplied the partial comprehensions become all the more varied. The author of the Sanmati-tarka says, “There are as many nayavādas (partial comprehensions)
1. Albert Einstein: Theory of Relativity, p. 3