Neither New Nor Western: The Pre-Modern Roots of Multiculturalism in Jaina Thought

Abstract

The conceptual framework of Anekantavada is the focal point of this essay, which delves into the philosophical foundations of multiculturalism within the Jaina philosophical tradition. Jain philosophy is regarded as one of the important philosophies in Indian philosophical doxography from the heterodox tradition that challenges Vedic authority in their knowledge tradition. In simple words, Anekântavâda stands for the many-sidedness and plurality of reality. The research makes use of a comparative approach to investigate the connections that exist between Jaina philosophy, postmodernism, and multiculturalism. It contends that although multiculturalism and postmodernism share certain traits, the fundamental concept that underpins diversity has been present in a variety of traditions, including Jainism, for a significant amount of time prior to the postmodern era. The purpose of this research is to conduct an investigation of the ways in which Anekântavâda, which places a strong focus on acknowledging diverse perspectives and rejecting absolutism, aligns with multicultural principles that aim to celebrate variety and challenge cultural identity. A major objective of this paper is to assert the compatibility of the Indian philosophical system to align even with the postmodern theories like multiculturalism. The conclusion of the paper is that the interrelationship between these notions offers a comprehensive philosophical framework that may be utilised to solve modern concerns of cultural recognition and social cohesiveness in different communities.