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Today's featured article

1888 e-print "Blind monks examining an elephant" by Hanabusa Itchō

Anekantavada is one of the most important and basic doctrines of Jainism. It refers to the principles of pluralism and multiplicity of viewpoints, the notion that truth and reality are perceived differently from diverse points of view, and that no single point of view is the complete truth. Jains contrast all attempts to proclaim absolute truth with adhgajanyāyah, which can be illustrated through the maxim of the "Blind Men and an Elephant". In this story, one blind man felt the trunk of an elephant, another the tusks, another the ears, another the tail. All the men claimed to explain the true appearance of the elephant, but could only partly succeed, due to their limited perspectives. According to the Jains, only the Kevalins—the omniscient beings—can comprehend objects in all aspects and manifestations; others are only capable of partial knowledge. Consequently, no single, specific, human view can claim to represent absolute truth. Anekāntavāda encourages its adherents to consider the views and beliefs of their rivals and opposing parties. Proponents of anekāntavāda apply this principle to religion and philosophy, reminding themselves that any religion or philosophy, even Jainism, that clings too dogmatically to its own tenets, is committing an error based on its limited point of view. (more...)

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From Wikipedia's newest articles:

Hotel Green
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In the news

Headquarters of HBOS in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • Lloyds TSB announce a takeover of rival UK bank HBOS (headquarters pictured) after a week of global financial market instability that saw a government bail-out for AIG, and Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy protection.
  • Somchai Wongsawat is selected to be the next Prime Minister of Thailand during that country's current political crisis.
  • The International Astronomical Union classifies Haumea as the fifth dwarf planet in the Solar System.
  • Sixteen people are killed in an attack on the United States embassy in San‘a’, Yemen.
  • A political crisis related to the South Ossetia war brings down the government of Ukraine.
  • In the first parliamentary elections in Angola since 1992, the ruling MPLA party wins in a landslide.
  • At age 21, Sebastian Vettel of Toro Rosso wins the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, becoming the youngest driver in history to win a Formula One Grand Prix. WikinewsRecent deathsMore current events...

On this day...

September 19: Independence Day in Saint Kitts and Nevis (1983); Armed Forces Day in Chile; International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Edward the Black Prince
  • 1356 – Hundred Years' War: English forces led by Edward the Black Prince (pictured) decisively won the Battle of Poitiers and captured King Jean II of France.
  • 1796 – George Washington's Farewell Address was published in many American newspapers, warning citizens, among others, about the dangers of political factionalism and to avoid permanent alliances with other foreign powers.
  • 1893 – New Zealand became the first country to introduce universal suffrage, following the women's suffrage movement led by Kate Sheppard.
  • 1985 – A magnitude 8.1 earthquake devastated Mexico City, killing at least nine thousand people and leaving up to 100,000 homeless.
  • 1995 – The Manifesto of "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski was published in The Washington Post and The New York Times, almost three months after it was submitted.
  • More events: September 18 – September 19 – September 20

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Today's featured picture

Kentish Plover

The Kentish Plover or Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) is a small wader in the plover bird family. Despite its name, this species no longer breeds in Kent, or even Great Britain. Instead, it breeds in most subtropical and tropical parts of the world.

Photo credit: Mike Baird

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