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Containment and many-sidedness: a comparative study of Jain and Aristotelian logics

2020-01-01 — 50 min read — philosophy, logic, comparative-philosophy, Jain-philosophy, Aristotle

The word logic is for many synonymous with that originated by Aristotle. There are, however, other forms well worthy of the name; even those with a formal development and history of inquiry equal to or rivalling the Aristotelian. One such form is Jain logic, which developed from the religion and philosophy of Jainism. Here we give an account of Jain logic, with our treatment stemming from the doctrine of anekāntavāda (non-one-sidedness), alongside a twin comparison with the more familiar Aristotelian logic. The comparison, moreover, will be conducted using a method relying on research in cognitive linguistics. We will understand each of these logics, Jain and Aristotelian, according to the image schema which structures them. Jain logic will be understood as a logic of many-sidedness, as following from anekāntavāda. Aristotelian logic will be read as a logic of containment. We will thus examine the whole proceeding from this root in anekāntavāda to see the unique nature of Jain logic; that it is not merely a variation on Aristotelian logic but rather constitutes a true alternative.