A Comparative Study of the Jaina Theories of Reality and Knowledge

The book is divided into two parts (bound in one volume). Part I is related to the nature of Reality. The author formulates five types of approach to the problem of Reality. He discovers flaws in the following four (1) The philosophy of identity, (2) that of difference, (3) of identity in difference in which identity predominates and (4) of identity in difference in which difference predominates. The only approach which he finds flawless is the Jaina view, namely of identity in difference in which identity is co-ordinate with difference. The author proceeds to discuss two aspects of reality, viz. the relational structure and causal efficiency and shows that the two can exist and function only within the framework of a co-ordinate identity in difference, accepted by the Jaina thinkers. This is followed by a search for the meaning and content of the notion of substance and an attempt is made to distinguish between he concepts of intrinsic and extrinsic attributes. Part II presents an analytical account of the methods of knowledge recognized by the Jaina thinkers under the characteristic doctrines of standpoints and of conditional prediction (Nayavada and Syadvada) preceded by an investigation into the nature and the logical evolution of the theory of manifoldness (Anekantavada).