Anekantavada

Origin. Jain philosophy, systematized by Kundakunda (c. 2nd century CE) and Samantabhadra (c. 6th century CE). The method of "non-one-sidedness" — reality has multiple aspects that cannot be captured by any single statement.

Mechanism. Every claim is partial. Asserting "X is Y" captures one aspect; asserting "X is not Y" captures another. Both can be true in different respects. The seven-fold predication (syadvada) systematically enumerates the possible positions, preventing premature closure on any single view. The method dissolves apparent contradictions by showing they arise from different perspectives on the same reality.

Procedure. Apply seven-fold predication to any claim. For the proposition "X is Y": (1) Syad asti — in some respect, X is Y. (2) Syad nasti — in some respect, X is not Y. (3) Syad asti nasti — in some respect, X is both Y and not Y (at different times or in different aspects). (4) Syad avaktavya — in some respect, X is indescribable with respect to Y (both apply simultaneously in a way language cannot capture). (5) Syad asti avaktavya — in some respect, X is Y and indescribable. (6) Syad nasti avaktavya — in some respect, X is not Y and indescribable. (7) Syad asti nasti avaktavya — in some respect, X is Y, not Y, and indescribable. Work through all seven to map the full logical space of the claim.

Applies to. Resolving apparent contradictions. Understanding opposing positions. Philosophical analysis. Any situation where parties hold seemingly incompatible views that may each capture partial truths.

Limitations. Can become a machine for generating complexity rather than insight. The method does not tell you which perspective matters for your purpose. "Everything is partially true" risks sliding into relativism where nothing can be asserted. Requires intellectual discipline to use for clarification rather than obfuscation.