Scientific Vision of Lord Mahavira

SR No.: 002011
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Chaitanyapragyashreeji
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 202
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Philosophy
File Size: 12 MB

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Scientific Vision of Lord Mahāvīra
the essential experience of modern physics that has been the subject of our discussion. Physics in the twentieth century has shown that the concepts of the organic worldview, although of little value for science and technology on the human scale, become extremely useful at the atomic and subatomic level. The organic view, therefore, seems to be more fundamental than the mechanistic. Classical physics, which is based on the latter, can be derived from quantum theory, which implies the former, whereas the reverse is not possible. This seems to give a first indication why we might expect the worldviews of modern physics and eastern mysticism to be similar. Both emerge when one enquires into the essential nature of things--into the deeper realms of matter in physics; into the deeper realms of consciousness in mysticism-when one discovers a different reality behind the superficial mechanistic appearance of everyday life."
Inspite of different approaches of physicists and mystic's one thing that inspires us to study science and philosophy is their method to observe reality. The chief method used by the Eastern philosophical systems is supra sensory or intuition. However, the Jain philosophy lays more emphasis on supra sensory to have the correct vision of Reality. On the other hand, various scientists have used intuition in a different way; for example, Einstein is more explicit in admitting the role of Intuition. Bergen, professor of Biology and Physics, has sublimated the status of Intuition in his philosophy. Scientists like Eddington, James Jeans and Whitehead have assigned the role of insight and intuition to the major discoveries and original writings in the field of science. Undoubtedly Eddington stands as a towering personality in espousing the role of consciousness.
The crux of Eddington's argument is rooted in his conviction that the internal power of the mind is the supreme one beyond which there is no other power'. Similarly, James Jeans has accounted for some invisible force behind the mental powers of man. Unlike the views maintained by Western scientists, Eastern mystics with the comprehensive enlightenment could perceive directly and formulate such theories that are wonder evoking and thought provoking.
Yet, most of the schools of philosophy are of the view that speculative daring is necessary to broaden the vision and strengthen the understanding and deepen the knowledge of physical as well as spiritual world. Scientists, mathematicians, Astronomers are of the view that the whole universe is interconnected and inherently coherent system. It is not an exaggeration and myth-oriented humbug. The question arises whether such a coherent system can be an object of experience. The Jain thinkers have made provision for the total grasp of the total reality. The total comprehension of reality or knowledge, in true sense of term must be all embracing.
In the words of Einstein "We can know only the relative truth. The absolute truth is known only to the universal observer." This comes close to the Jain