Jaina Relativism and Relativity Physics

by Jayant Burde

About the Book:  

Einstein's theory of relativity which appeared in the early twentieth century. Shook many fundamental concepts in physics such as space, time, mass, energy and gravitation. However, it led to many misconceptions. Lay persons often equated it with the concept of non-absolutism, relativity or relativism which is found in many philosophical systems. This book is a comparative study of relativity physics and philosophical relativity physics and philosophical relativism with special reference to Jaina philosophy of anekantavada and syadvada. Jainism like science believes in objectivity and empiricism. This makes the analysis of similarities and differences between relativity physics and Jaina non-absolutism quite rewarding. 

The author suggests how syadvada can be enriched to identifying "false absolutes" and analyzing avaktavya ("the indescribable"). He also addresses the paradox: Is the doctrine of Jaina non-absolutism itself relative or absolute?