AnekantaHow It Works
Anekanta transforms complex questions into structured, multi-perspective explorations. Here is the full journey — from topic to archive.
Anyone can propose a meaningful question for exploration. A good topic is one where thoughtful people genuinely disagree — not a factual question with one right answer, but an inquiry where multiple perspectives illuminate different truths. Proposals are reviewed by the Anekanta team to ensure they are well-framed and open to multi-lens exploration.
Every topic is explored through seven lenses, inspired by the Jain philosophical principle of Anekantavada (the doctrine of many-sidedness). The lenses are: Agree, Disagree, Agree and Disagree Both, Complex, Agree and Complex, Disagree and Complex, and Agree Disagree and Complex. Each lens has a specific prompt that begins with 'In some respects...' — a reminder that every position is partial and situated.
A Drashta (দ্রষ্টা — one who sees) is any contributor who adds their perspective. Each Drashta chooses one of the seven lenses and writes a short statement (up to 500 characters) from within that viewpoint. You do not argue against others — you speak from the lens you have chosen. One person, one lens, one statement per topic. Drashtas may also submit long-form writings that provide deeper context for their position.
A Sutradhar (সূত্রধর — the one who holds the thread) is the curator of a topic. The Sutradhar is not a moderator who removes content, but a guide who shapes the dialogue. They can feature outstanding statements, move misplaced contributions to a more fitting lens, and hide content that violates community guidelines (with a stated reason). The Sutradhar watches the conversation develop over six months and ensures each lens receives thoughtful attention.
After six months (or when the topic reaches maturity), the Sutradhar writes a synthesis document — a reflective essay that weaves together the threads of all seven lenses. The synthesis does not declare a winner; it maps the landscape of perspectives, noting tensions, resonances, surprises, and emerging patterns. The topic then moves to the archive, becoming a permanent knowledge object that anyone can read.
Roles
The Sutradhar is the intellectual custodian of a topic. Unlike a moderator, the Sutradhar does not merely enforce rules — they actively shape the quality of dialogue. Their responsibilities include: framing the initial inquiry so it invites depth rather than debate; curating contributions by featuring exceptional statements and gently relocating misplaced ones; monitoring the balance across all seven lenses; and ultimately producing a synthesis that does justice to the full range of perspectives. To become a Sutradhar, you apply through the platform. Approval is based on your demonstrated ability to hold complexity without collapsing it into a single viewpoint.
A Drashta is any registered user who contributes a perspective to a topic. The word comes from Sanskrit, meaning 'one who sees' — because every contribution is an act of seeing from a particular vantage point. As a Drashta, you select one of the seven lenses and write a concise statement from within it. Your statement is not a rebuttal or a debate point — it is a sincere articulation of what you see from that angle. You may write in English or Bengali. You may also submit longer writings that elaborate on your perspective. Your statement remains editable while the topic is active, and becomes permanent once the topic is archived.
The seven lenses are the structural heart of Anekanta. They are not positions to defend but viewpoints to inhabit. Agree — you see genuine merit in the proposition. Disagree — you see genuine problems with it. Agree and Disagree Both — you see simultaneous merit and problems depending on conditions. Complex — you believe the question itself resists simple yes/no treatment. Agree and Complex — you lean toward support but recognise irreducible complexity. Disagree and Complex — you lean toward opposition but recognise irreducible complexity. Agree, Disagree and Complex — you see support, opposition, and complexity woven together inseparably.
Every topic follows a clear lifecycle. It begins as a proposal, reviewed and approved by the team. Once approved and a Sutradhar is assigned, the topic becomes active for approximately six months. During this active phase, Drashtas contribute statements and writings. When the dialogue reaches maturity — or the six-month window closes — the Sutradhar writes the synthesis. The topic then moves to the archive, where it becomes a permanent, searchable knowledge object. Archived topics cannot accept new statements, but they remain fully readable as a record of structured inquiry.