Elusive Consciousness

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

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philosophy, and Jainism in particular, there is emphasis on spiritual evolution which essentially depends on evolution of consciousness. In view of several problems faced by the modern world, there is a need to have an extensive comparison between these two types of evolution so that some better model of evolution and direction of development can be evolved.
Quantum physics has been extensively used to understand consciousness (Appendix 1). In Appendix 2, implicate order of quantum physics is compared with Jain concept of keval jnana. Appendix 3 discusses possibility that consciousness can be an entitly for which causality is neither obeyed nor violated. In recent past, extensive work has been done to understand the concept of consciousness through psychology, philosophy, neurophysiology, medical science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, computer science, quantum physics and general theory of relativity (Appendix 4) etc. The work of Penrose and Hameroff about finer structure of neurons in terms of microtubules and tubulins, which may follow quantum gravity are discussed. We also discuss the possibility of information being present at Planck's level in space-time geometry, which may imply soul like concepts mentioned in Jainism Even theory of karma, paap and punya and rebirth.can be explained using this information contained at Planck's level. They lead one to infer that there can exist higher dimensions of knowledge including Extra Sensory Perception (ESP) Actually it appears that the recent development in the field of quantum computers and quantum information may enable us to distinguish classical information from quantum information, like Paroksh Jnana and Pratyksha Jnana. It is suggested that possibility of quantum computers through tubulins in the brain and possibility of information being stored in the space-time geometry may confirm the Jain theory that knowledge is structured in the consciousness.
2. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
ENTROPY:
We now discuss the consequences of a unidirectional concept of economic development and its modifications due to science and technology, which have destroyed the environment and is degrading the life support system irreparably. Actually economic development is required for smooth running of a society and everybody wants it. However, with the advancements of science and technology, industrial revolution has taken place in the world. Due to this economic activities started concentrating at a few places and in a few cities. Their activities started polluting the natural resources in a highly damaging way. The whole process of