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All propositions are only hypothetically true. Hence unlike ordinary logic Syādvāda recognizes conditional predication, which is expressed by the prefix Syāt.29 Logic of Syādvāda differs from ordinary logic in the fact that instead of two kinds of Judgement as affirmative and negative it recognizes as many as seven forms of judgement. So Syādvāda is also called Saptabhangī.30 Syādvāda and Saptabhangi.
Syādvāda and saptabhangī are interrelated. Saptabhangi means seven fold judgement and Syādvāda is enumerated by saptabhangī. Syādvāda has two words Syāt and Väda. Syāt means Kathancit, somehow, in respect of, vāda is the tenet of relative or partial or conditional knowledge.31 It is true in some particular place, time and condition. The differences among the different philosophical systems are also partial truths. They represent their difference of views (naya). We cannot state any thing in its totality. Jaina thinkers, therefore, prefer to qualify every judgement by the word Syāt (somehow, perhaps, be expressed in which the statement or judgement (naya) is made.
To make it simple and comprehensive, Jaina logicians have confined the infinite facets if reality to only seven aspects. This view is called saptabhangī naya or the seven forms of judgement (affirmative and negative), e.g., the same line can be said to be longer, smaller, not longer, not smaller, etc, in some respect. These seven forms are as follows:32
1. Syād-asti - Somehow A is B 2. Syād-nāsti - Somehow A is not B 3. Syād-asti ca násti ca- somehow A is and also is not B. 4. Syād-avaktavyam - Somehow A is indescribable. 5. Syād -asti ca avakavyam ca- Somehow a is B and is also
indescribable. 6. Syād - nāsti ca avaktavyam ca - Somehow A is not B and is
also indescribable. 7. Syād-asti ca nasti ca avaktavayam ca - Somehow A is B, also
is not B and is indescribable too. Though there are innumerable aspects and attributes of on object, they can be categorized through only these seven forms. Now, the question arises why only seven forms, and it can be solved in the following mannerTHE YE|| 97887 – 19, 2004
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