Doctrine of Relativism or Anekantavada or Syadvada : A Rare Combination of Non-Absolutism

Abstract

The Jain doctrine of relativity consists of three different “relativity” doctrines – anekāntavāda, nayavāda, and syādvāda. In short, these three doctrines, when brought together, insist that reality can be approached from a variety of different but correct perspectives.

1. Anekāntavāda—the theory of relative pluralism or manifoldness

1. Nayavāda—the theory of partial standpoints

1. Syādvāda—the theory of conditioned predication

These Jain philosophical concepts made very significant contributions to the Indian philosophy.