The Chander Mohan Jain Memorial Lecture Series – Jainism and Moral Relativism: Anekantavada and Ahimsa
Jainism and Moral Relativism: Anekantavada and Ahimsa with Professor Gary Francione
It would seem as though the Jain principle of Ahimsa, which prohibits the intentional infliction of suffering and death on mobile, multi-sensed beings, should serve to prohibit the use of any animal products by Jains. But this is not the case as many Jains who regard themselves as embracing Ahimsa are not vegans. The usual reason offered for this is that the doctrine of Anekantavada, often, and inaccurately, referred to as the Jain doctrine of relativism, means that there are no hard and fast moral rules, including ones related to animal use. I will discuss why this is not the case and argue generally that Anekantavada does not apply to moral concepts such as Ahimsa.
Note: If you are unable to attend but would like a copy of the event recording, please register for the event and we will email you the link following the event.
Gary L. Francione
Gary L. Francione is Board of Governors Professor of Law at Rutgers University School of Law. He is also Visiting Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lincoln, U.K., and Honorary Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia, U.K. Professor Francione is the author of numerous books and articles on animal rights theory.
Professor Francione studied philosophy at the University of Rochester and then went to graduate school in philosophy and law school at the University of Virginia. He served as a Law Clerk to Justice Sandra Day O’Connor of the United States Supreme Court and practiced law in New York City before entering academia in 1984. Professor Francione is the author of numerous books and articles on animal rights theory and is regarded as a leading scholar in the field of animal ethics and animal law.
He has been a vegan for almost 40 years based on his acceptance of the principle of Ahimsa, or nonviolence, and his view that to use animals as commodities is unjust. He rejects the use of all animal products, including dairy, leather, wool, and silk. He is a serious student of Jain philosophy and has written about Jainism and animal ethics. He delivered the Opening Keynote Address at the 15th Biennial JAINA Convention in July 2009 and has spoken at other Jain events. He has done a series of interviews for Mangalam, the Jain TV series.