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Microcosmology : Atom
an essential constituent of the universe, will have to be included in the future theory of physical phenomena.
In this regard, the words of an eminent physicist Werner Heisenberg seem to be very relevant. He writes : "It is probably true, quite generally, that in the history of human thinking, the most fruitful developments frequently take place at those points where two different lines of thought meet. These lines may have their roots in quite different parts of human culture, in different times, different environments or different religious traditions : hence if they do meet, that is, if they are at least so much related to each other that a real interaction can take place, then one may hope that new, interesting and useful developments will follow."! It is however extremely difficult to adjudge how much scientific the Jain thinkers have been or how far from it. But the Jain scholars did develop an adequate methodology and an admirable terminology for the presentation of their findings which one is free to accept or reject.
The purpose of the following discussion cannot be to make predictions but it may be possible to define some points from which the interaction between the ideas of modern science and the older tradition may begin.
1. W. Heisenberg, Physics and Philosopyh, p. 202
