Theory of Atom in Jaina Philosophy

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Agam and Sahitya Prakashan

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INTRODUCTION
For ages the enigma of the physical universe has been pondered alike by religion (theology), philosophy and science The fundamental problems, no doubt, remained the same from one age to another, but the point of view from which they were attacked vaned with the viewer as well as the age It would therefore be not surprising if the answers to the problem are found to be radically divergent Answers given by theology, for instance, are based mostly on dogmatic belief that we have knowledge, where in fact, we have ignorance Science on the other hand cannot answer many questions of great interest raised by inquisitive human mind "Philosophy is intermediate between theology and science' says Sir Bertrand Russell "and it is the business of philosophy to study such problems in order that we do not become insensitive to many things of great value "
India's philosophical culture is characterised by a sincerity of purpose and seriousness of outlook as well as freedom of thought which was unknown in the western countries State persecution and censorship of thought was conspicuous by its absence because Indians did not seek to make political capital out of their religious persuasion
At the same time, unlike West, Science has never been able to completely subjugate the religious sensitivities In India at least, mystery, ambiguity and transcendence remain as important as rationality, logic and sensible perception Here, man's personality is not entirely denatured by the scientific objectivity nor has mystery and sacredness been taken away 1 History of Western Philosophy, Page 13