Scientific development & our responsibility
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems, a
comparative study
By
Shugan C Jain PhD
Founder director ISJS
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK
Teen bhuvan ka sara, vitrag vigyan
Shiv swarup sukhkar, namahu triyog sambharake CD1
Visit to International telecom conference in USA
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
Pluto’s Theaetetus defined knowledge as ‘justified true belief’.
• Jain theory of knowledge defines knowledge as:
• ‘The means by which cognition takes place’, ‘one who knows’ and ‘the
knowledge itself.’
- Sarvārtha Siddhi
• ‘The specific entity which provides the true knowledge of the object’,
‘entity which enables to decide the true nature of a substance’ and
‘means of knowing the substance, modes and attributes’.
- Dhavalā
• ‘Just knowing’, ‘means of knowing’ and ‘the one who knows’
- Nandī Cūrņi.
• Right /rational knowledge is free of doubt (sańśaya), perversity
(viparyaya) and indecisiveness (anadhyavsāya). It is of five types
classified according to the process or method of acquiring knowledge
• Data- Information – knowledge – intellect –wisdom- just knowledge
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
Existents:
• All existents are real with persistence and change
simultaneously (ODP).
• Duality of existence i.e. Jīva and Ajīva:
• Jīva with sentiency and its manifestation as its
distinguishing characteristics . Jīva is further classified as
empirical soul and pure soul. Empirical soul is classified as
mobile and immobile with further sub classifications of
each.
• Ajīva is further sub classified as pudgala (matter),
principles of motion and rest, space and time. Matter is the
only active and concrete Ajīva.
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
• Pure jīva (soul )has infinite intuition, knowledge, energy and bliss as its
attributes. It retains its status forever at the summit of loka.
•
Empirical soul / living being / Jīva is an amalgam of pure soul and
matter particles. Matter particles( pudgala) or karmas obscures
natural attributes of pure soul. However the soul has the power to
change / annihilate karmas to attain pure state through its own ethico
spiritual efforts .
• All activities of jīva , involve matter. Matter affects jīva in the form of
karmas, food, body and to acquire knowledge.
• Like Jīva matter is also active. Unlike jīva, whose all activities are
purposive, in matter such a purposive, spontaneous activity is random.
Its primary attributes are fusion and fission. Like pure soul, matter in
pure state i.e. parmāņu can move at the same speed as pure soul but
unlike pure soul is highly unstable.
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
Attribute
Sentiency & its m (D,J)
Concrete
Active
Speed when pure
Objective of activity
Space occupied
Breakability
Stability when pure
jiva
Y
N
Y
14r/s
Purposive
Elastic
N
Highly
pudgala
N
Y
Y
14r/s
Random
Inn pamanus in one sp
Fusion & Fission
Highly unstable
Computers utilize these attributes of matter to process
knowledge acquired from jiva (empirical souls)
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems “CS”
The word computer comes from the word computation.
However, in general, the computer represents a set of
devices used to process data as per a set of rules / programs
provided to it by the designers. This definition necessitates
accepting all computational systems as representational
systems. In other words, there is no computation without
representation on this definition.
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
• Matter is of two types namely lump (skandha) and parmāņu. Lump
/aggregate is further classified as of six types namely fine-fine, fine,
fine-coarse, coarse-fine, coarse, coarse-coarse. Parmāņu is like a
dimensionless and mass-less geometric point that has just existence.
• Units of measure: For explaining cosmic and physical, like the C.G.S.
or the F.P.S. systems of modern science, defined in Jain literature e.g.
– the unit of weight based on parmāņu is given as tranfal, which is
2.04*10-12 vāra where vāra is approx one tolā or 11.6 grams
– the unit of space is called pradeśa or space-point (smallest) to the
largest units is Rajju = 1.15* 10 21 miles
– the unit of time is the samaya, which is defined as the time taken to
traverse one space point (pradeśa) by parmāņu at normal speed to
large units like epochs and ocean measured periods etc.
Computers consist of matter only. They acquire, store, process, data
/information and generate results (knowledge) based on pre defined
logic. The units that we use for them are atomic particles, pixels, paco
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
Indirect or parokşa
• Mati Jňāna: Mind based knowledge. Knowledge developed with
the assistance of one or more of the five senses and mind (manas) .
Karma theory says this knowledge is developed as a result of
kşayopaśama (partial suppression and destruction) of matijňāna
varaňa karmas. Mind is an integrator of inputs from five senses
with consciousness. Since some consciousness of soul is always free
of obscuring, this jňāna is always present in some traces in all types
of souls or living beings.
• śruta Jňāna: Verbal testimony or scriptural knowledge. It is the
ability to use words or symbols or reasoning. This knowledge is
acquired as a result of kşayopśama of śruta jňānāvaraņa karma. To
listen, the listener or through which one hears is śruta.
Basis of knowledge processing by computers. Use purer and finer
materials , Can outsmart human beings
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
Direct (pratyakşa)
• Avadhi Jňāna or Limiting knowledge or clairvoyance. It is the limited
cognitive ability of the soul to become aware of things (concrete), which
lie beyond the normal range of senses. Generally knows objects below
the knower or the knowledge with certain limitations like concrete
objects and not very clearly.
• Manaħparyaya Jňāna: Knowledge of mental modes or Telepathy.
Manaħparyaya jňāni can know the objects of thought of the mind of
others.
Computers approaching these but use logic i.e. extension of indirect
knowledge.
• Kevala Jňāna: Omniscience. Just knowledge acquired as a result of
extreme penance, both internal and external. Knows all objects,
concrete or non concrete without any assistance and of all times.
One (independent of parts and greater) against many (sum of parts)
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
• Mati and śruta are both related as cause and effect. Mati can
cognize only concrete modes of all substances in the present time
only and not the substances. Śruta can also cognize non concrete
objects but indirectly
• The doctrine of Guņasthānas combines the results of pursuing
Jaina path of liberation by shedding karmas bonded with the
soul; making the body more tolerant and efficient, attaining
higher capabilities of knowledge at each level i.e. from just
mundane levels of indirect (parokşa) to first its higher levels and
then to direct (pratyakşa) knowledge (i.e. clairvoyance, telepathy
to omniscience).
Same principle used by computers. Matter purified to the
highest levels for use to enhance computing power. LSI,
VLSI, VVLSI and on.
Moores Law. Generations of Stored programs computers.
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
– Majority of knowledge available is matter, can be
acquired except the knowledge as an attribute of soul,
which can be experienced only by Jīva. Jīva uses
acquired knowledge to make right choices to achieve his
objectives. Matter cannot do so but depend on the
influence of jiva.
– Analysis of indirect i.e. parokşa jňāna and perhaps
deśa pratyakşa (i.e. avadhi and manaħparyaya) jňāna
also can lead us to better understanding of knowledge
systems including the computers.
Basis of computers development
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems
“JTK”
• Valid knowledge of an entity is called pramāņa. The five types of
samyaka jňāna are pramāņa.
• Classification of pramāņa will greatly improve our understanding of
the structure, functioning and further development of computer
systems:
– Sāńvyavahārika pratyakşa pramāņa (sensory) as direct category by
tradition
– Indirect or parokşa pramāņa: memory (smŗiti), comparison (
pratyabhijņāna), logic (tarka), inference(anūmāna) and scriptures
(āgama)
• Naya doctrine and niksepa
Used by computers. All forms of both are the basis of computation .
Stored program computers, DBMS, Logic, networking
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems “CS”
Examples to differentiate knowledge processing by
computer from human beings
• Mirror experiment Multiplication (123456x 3456)
• Turing Test: 1950. (Two rooms, one with computer and
other with man)
• Searle’s Chinese room experiment (Chinese speaking
computer v/s Man) 1980 Minds brains and programs.
• Silicon chip replacement (brain) : (each neuron in the
brain is swapped for silicon prostheses)
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems “CS”
Recent developments
• Cows management system
• Blue Gene by IBM
• Google.com
• Internet
• Mobile telephony and its use in health care
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems “CS”
Future of computer technology in next 15 years
Technological developments, such as, nanotechnology, neuroscience, and artificial
intelligence are accelerating enormously. Typical developments include the merging of
man and machine (cybernetic organisms—or cyborgs) and accelerated technology
beyond our ability to control.
Nanotechnology is the development and use of devices with a size of only a few
nanometers (atomic in scale, a distance that's 0.001% of the width of human hair) i.e.
to build machines out of atoms to change the atomic fabric of matter to engineer
machinelike atomic structure that reproduce like living matter (like an inorganic
version of DNA to drive the building of its tiny machines).
As we approach the Singularity, nanodevices will be able to replicate themselves like
living matter (Biorobotics) At a simple level, this includes implanting chips encoded
with health or security information; seamlessly blend living tissue with mechanical
devices. Cloning is the growing of genetically identical cells, eliminating the natural
role of human biology and bringing us closer to the Singularity.
Singularity include seeking to overcome human limits, live indefinitely long, and
become more intelligent through technology. Related groups include Trans- humanists
and post-humanists.
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems “CS”
Future
By 2030, a thousand dollars of computation will be about a thousand
times more powerful than a human brain. They will not be organized
as discrete objects as they are today. There will be a web of computing
deeply integrated into the environment, our bodies and brains
• Kurzweil further explains that central to the workings of the new
developments, termed as Singularity, are a number of "laws," one of
which is Moore’s Law. Today, the smallest transistors in chips span
only thousands of atoms (hundreds of nanometers). Chipmakers build
such components using a process in which they apply semi conducting,
metallic, and insulating layers to a semiconductor wafer to create
microscopic circuitry. Researchers today have built circuits out of
transistors, wires, and other components as tiny as a few atoms across
that can carry out simple computations.
• So the scientists, futurologists all envision a time soon when computing
technology will far exceed the human intelligence. Further they project
that small computers when implanted in the human body will work in
tandem with our brain and produce unimaginable knowledge and
knowledge based activities.
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems “CS”
Future
Man Machine cooperation and coexistence to achieve our objectives
Our responsibilty
Use computers to standardize Jain principles and for mass
education and their application to improve our society at large;
minimize violence and to enable us to experience /progress on the
path of spiritual purification.
Check & if possible stop misuse of the new developments
.
Jain theory of knowledge & modern computer systems “CS”
Thanks
&
Jai Jinendra