Issues of Philosophy of Language in Jaina Philosophy

Summary

This article investigates how Jain thinkers approached fundamental questions about language. The Jaina doctrine of anekāntavāda – the theory that reality is manifold and can be viewed from many standpoints – underpins their philosophy of language. Because any statement reflects only a partial perspective, the system of syādvāda (“the doctrine of may‑be”) uses sevenfold predication to express the conditional nature of assertions. The author traces the development of this linguistic strategy from early Prakrit scriptures to later Sanskrit commentaries. He analyses how terms such as naya (viewpoint) and nikṣepa (designation) mediate between word and object and how Jaina epistemology categorises valid cognition (pramāṇa) and its objects. The article also discusses the role of Prakrit and Sanskrit in conveying doctrine, noting that translation and interpretation are themselves conditioned by perspective. Through comparative references to Nyāya theories of reference and Buddhist apoha theory, the author shows that Jainism offered a distinctive solution to the problem of conflicting truths: rather than claiming exclusivity, it developed a linguistic apparatus to accommodate multiple viewpoints without falling into relativism. The conclusion emphasises that this flexible approach fosters intellectual tolerance and serves as a model for modern discourse.