Jain Saptabhangi Adhunik Tarkashastra Ke Sandharbh Me

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text "Jain Saptabhangi Adhunik Tarkashastra ke Sandharbh me" by Bhikhariram Yadav, in English:

Title: Jain Saptabhangi in the Context of Modern Logic Author: Bhikhariram Yadav

This work by Bhikhariram Yadav explores the Jain doctrine of Saptabhangi (the seven-fold predication) through the lens of modern logic, arguing for its relevance and analytical depth.

Core of the Argument:

The author begins by highlighting that ordinary language and logic are typically confined to "is" (affirmation) and "is not" (negation). However, Jain philosophy posits that reality is infinitely manifold (anantadharmatmaka). Every object possesses contradictory qualities simultaneously, such as being existent and non-existent, eternal and non-eternal, one and many. Traditional language, with its binary affirmation/negation structure, struggles to express these coexisting, contradictory attributes.

The Three Fundamental Predications:

To address this limitation, Jainism introduces a third category: Avaktavya (unspeakable or ineffable). Thus, the three fundamental predications are:

1. Syadasti: "It is (in some respect)." (Affirmation)
2. Syannasti: "It is not (in some respect)." (Negation)
3. Syad Avaktavya: "It is ineffable/unspeakable (in some respect)."

The Seven-Fold Predication (Saptabhangi):

These three fundamental predications, when combined, lead to the sevenfold system:

1. Syadasti (It is)
2. Syannasti (It is not)
3. Syadasti ca nasti ca (It is and it is not)
4. Syad Avaktavya (It is ineffable)
5. Syadasti ca Avaktavya ca (It is and it is ineffable)
6. Syannasti ca Avaktavya ca (It is not and it is ineffable)
7. Syadasti ca Nastica ca Avaktavya ca (It is, it is not, and it is ineffable)

Saptabhangi vs. Modern Logic:

The author then delves into comparing Saptabhangi with modern logical frameworks:

• Not Two-Valued: Saptabhangi is not a two-valued logic (which deals only with true and false). While each limb of Saptabhangi has partial truth, none is entirely false. Falsity (as an absolute negation of truth) is not a concept within Saptabhangi.
• Relativity is Key: Unlike binary logic where judgments are absolute, Jain logic emphasizes relativity. Every statement in Saptabhangi is relative, meaning its truth value is dependent on the perspective or aspect being considered. Absolute statements, in Jain logic, would be false.
• Not Strictly Three-Valued: While some scholars try to equate "Avaktavya" with the "doubtful" or "undecided" category in some three-valued logics, Yadav argues this is inaccurate. In three-valued logic, "doubtful" means it can be either true or false but hasn't been decided, and it can be expressed. "Avaktavya," however, signifies the simultaneous presence of contradictory attributes that are inexpressible, not a state of indecision. Moreover, "Avaktavya" doesn't involve uncertainty or mere possibility; it points to a deeper reality that language cannot fully capture.
• Towards Multi-Valuedness: The author proposes that Saptabhangi can be considered "seven-valued" or "multi-valued." Each of the seven predications reveals distinct and independent truths about the nature of reality. Jain acharyas (scholars) considered each limb as expressing new facts from a particular viewpoint. This independent value and focus on specific aspects of reality make a multi-valued interpretation fitting.

Symbolic Representation and Probabilistic Logic:

Yadav explores the possibility of symbolizing Saptabhangi using concepts from probabilistic logic. He draws a parallel with the way probabilistic logic derives compound events from independent events. He proposes assigning symbols (like A for existence, -B for non-existence, and -C for ineffability, with 'Syat' represented by 'P') to the fundamental predications and then constructing symbolic representations for the combined limbs.

He clarifies the nature of "Syannasti" (negation), noting that it doesn't necessarily imply a simple negation but rather the absence of a particular attribute from a specific viewpoint. He discusses different interpretations of negation and proposes that "Syadasti" and "Syannasti" should be represented by distinct symbols (e.g., A and B, or A and -B) to avoid implying contradiction, as both existence and non-existence coexist in reality from different perspectives.

The author acknowledges that his proposed symbolic representation is open to refinement and hopes it can help resolve misconceptions about Saptabhangi.

Saptabhangi and Compound Statements:

The author emphasizes that the combined limbs of Saptabhangi are not merely summations of the fundamental ones but possess a distinct value and significance, much like the blended colors in optics are different from their constituent colors. The combination creates a new emergent property. This reinforces the idea that Saptabhangi is indeed "seven-valued" because each limb offers a unique, valuable perspective.

Conclusion:

Bhikhariram Yadav concludes that the Jain Saptabhangi, with its nuanced approach to predication, offers a sophisticated framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of reality. By considering each limb as having its own independent value and revealing distinct truths from different viewpoints, the doctrine can be understood as a form of multi-valued logic, offering a valuable analytical tool that complements and extends modern logical frameworks. The symbolic representation, inspired by probabilistic logic, provides a structured way to analyze its combinatorial nature and support its philosophical claims.