Significance of Anekantvada (multi-sidedness) in Conflict Resolution at the Global Level

My paper seeks to explore the significance of anekantvada, cardinal principle of Jainism implying many-sidedness in conflict resolution. This philosophy argues in realising the partial truth even in the extreme views held by others to be able to arrive at truth or reality. To Jainism, it is important to understand the multi-faced nature of reality as well as its elusive character. Whatever is revealed to any observer at any given point of view and at any given place, can be partially true and conditionally right, ready to be falsified by different revelation to a different observer or judge at a different place and time. Hence the significance of the principle of anekantvada can never be under-rated. Rather it can prove to be a game-changer in the pluralistic, hi-tech and modern societies. I wish to draw upon certain case studies from the field of international relations worldwide, especially in the wake of escalation of war between Russia and Ukraine, on the one hand, and Hamas and Israel, on the other. The methodology adopted is analytical, comparative and empirical.