Structure and Functions of Soul in Jainism

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

Page 65

Chapter 3 The Soul
Introduction
The fact of conciousness is a necessary presupposition for every system of philosophy with the exception of the behaviourist school of psychology which does not distinguish between behaviour and consciousness. Philosophy, or rather every branch of knowledge, being through and through a conscious function, must base itself on the truth of the fact of consciousness. An attempt to deny the truth of consciousness is again based on consciousness. Without presuming consciousness no exposition, no discussion can be advanced. Consciousness is an undeniable fact of our experience. Waiving aside the problem how and whence consciousness is caused it must be the common assumption of all the systems. Opinions may differ as regards the origin and nature of consciousness, but no one can deny it without the risk of self contradiction. It is established by the very first attempt we make to investigate its identity and nature.
Classification of the Theories of the Soul
On the functional side consciousness is an undisputed fact of our experience; it is only the structural side of consciousness which has been variously conceived by the philosophers. Their views may be broadly classified as follows: (a) Materialism holds that consciousness originates from
matter. There is nothing like a spiritual reality or substance distinct from matter to determine the