Jaina Theory of Multiple Facets of Reality and Truth – Book Review

Summary

Ramkrishna Bhattacharya reviews *Jaina Theory of Multiple Facets of Reality and Truth*, a collection edited by Nagin J. Shah (Motilal Banarsidass and Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology, 2000). The volume compiles eleven articles first presented at a 1990 seminar on Jain logic and epistemology, with additional papers by K.C. Bhattacharya and Atsushi Uno and an extensive introduction by the editor. The essays examine *anekāntavāda* (non‑absolutism) and *syādvāda* (the doctrine of conditional predication) from historical, philosophical and logical perspectives. In his introduction, Dr. Shah argues that *syādvāda* is not scepticism but expresses the conditional validity of judgments; he suggests that Jain philosophy synthesises different systems of thought and considers non‑violence to underlie *anekāntavāda*. Bhattacharya’s review summarises contributions by modern scholars and offers constructive criticism. He questions claims that Jain doctrine uniquely fosters tolerance, noting that early Jain philosophers were as sharp as their opponents in polemical debates. He discusses attempts to trace precursors of *anekāntavāda* in early Pāli literature and argues that the sevenfold predication differs fundamentally from Buddhist logic. Bhattacharya also laments that most contributors limit themselves to expounding ancient texts rather than engaging with modern logical systems; he urges scholars to re‑examine Jaina logic in light of contemporary multi‑valued and para‑consistent logics. Despite these reservations, he praises the book’s production quality, extensive index and contribution to the study of Jain logic.