Anekantavada: The Antidote to Cancel Culture

We live in a world where one wrong word, one old tweet, or one unpopular opinion can get you “canceled.” Social media thrives on black-and-white perspectives: someone is either right or wrong, good or bad, an ally or an enemy. But here’s the catch: life is rarely that simple.

That’s where Jainism’s idea of Anekantavada comes in. At its core, it means reality isn’t one-sided. Truth has layers, perspectives, and angles. Think of the classic example: a group of people touching an elephant in the dark. One feels the trunk and says, “It’s a snake.” Another touches the leg and insists, “No, it’s a pillar.” Both are right, from their angle. Both are wrong if they think that’s the whole picture.

Now zoom back to 2025. Scroll through any comment section, and you’ll see the exact opposite of Anekantavada. People shut each other down instead of listening. We assume our version of the story is the only one that matters. But what if we borrowed a little Jain wisdom here?

Imagine applying Anekantavada when your friend says something you don’t agree with. Instead of instantly arguing, you pause and think: Okay, what part of the elephant are they holding? What part am I holding? Suddenly, the conversation shifts from “You’re wrong” to “Maybe we’re both seeing different sides.”

It doesn’t mean we excuse harmful behavior. It doesn’t mean every opinion is equally valid. But it does mean stepping away from the cancel hammer and stepping into curiosity. Because sometimes the real truth is bigger than any single perspective.

Gen Z often prides itself on being inclusive, open-minded, and progressive. Maybe true inclusivity isn’t just about identities, but also about ideas. That’s the heart of Anekantavada: acknowledging that no one owns the whole truth, not even you.

So the next time you’re tempted to cancel someone or clap back in a comment war, ask yourself: Am I willing to see another angle? It might just be the most radical, Jain-approved thing you do today.

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