Elusive Consciousness

Author(s): Narendra Bhandari, Surendrasingh Pokharana, Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 44

by the phenomenon of particle-wave duality exhibited by an elementary particle (say an electron) at a particular instant. Both Saptabhangi and quantum mechanics are characterized by seven possibilities, viz. it is a particle; it is a wave; it is a particle and yet it is not just a particle (indeterminable); it is a wave and yet it is not just a wave (indeterminable); it is neither a particle nor a wave; it is both, a particle and wave; and its state is indeterminate ??. This has been succinctly explained by Dr. D.S. Kothari in terms of quantum mechanics in his essay on " Complementarily principle and Eastern philosophy" through the example of a particle in a box which is divided into two compartments (A and B) by a partition with a hole in it. In accordance with the particle-wave duality, the particle (say, a photon or an electron) can either be in compartment A, or in compartment B, in A and still not only in A, in B and still not only in B, neither in A nor in B but somewhere else (outside the box), in A as well as in B and in an indeterminate state (avyakta). The same scenario emerges from quantum mechanical considerations, as has been shown mathematically by considering wave functions that describe the behavior of the particle. Thus in the case of an electron behaving as wave as well as particle, one can think of following possibilities (Kothari D. S. .....):
May be Electron is a wave.
May be Electron is not a wave (but a particle).
May be Electron is both a wave (and a particle).
May be Electron is indeterminate,
May be Electron is a wave and is indeterminate.
May be Electron is not a wave and is indeterminate.
May be Electron is wave, and is not wave (particle) and is not determinate.
Thus saptabhangi introduces the concept of indescribability (avyakta) which states that some of these seven states are indeterminate. This concept of avyakta is scientifically somewhat intriguing as it means an indeterminate , indescribable or unmanifested state.
6. Syadvad and Logic