Scientific Secrets of Jainism

Author(s): Nandighoshvijay
Publisher: Research Institute of Scientific Secrets from Indian Oriental Scriptures Ahmedabad

Page 121

10. Limitations Of Mathematics In
Jain Philosophy And Modern Physics
"One of the famous aphorisms of Einstein conveys the same idea - 'As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.'
Because of this critical limitation of science leading to gross error in perception of reality, one of the main aims of eastern mysticism is to rid us of this confusion and to aim at the direct experience of reality which transcends the intellectual thinking."
-D.K. Satsangi ( Bulletin of Theosophy Science Study Group, India, December, 1988,
Vol. 26, No. 6, p. 63 ) Cver since the beginning of human civilization, mathematics in some form or other has been in use in the society. But in modern times, its use has assumed great importance. But for the use of mathematics, researches leading to human welfare and multiplication of production of things useful to the human race, would never have been possible even with the help of advanced mechanics. The advancement in mechanics, basically depends on the use of mathematics.' It is, therefore, essential to study mathematics for understanding of modern science.
While we think of mathematics, a number of questions arise. Is mathematics an art or a science? Is mathematics a game of various symbols? Is it still a language? Is it still the 'Queen' of sciences or it has now been enslaved as their ‘servant'? Wherein resides the soul of mathematics? Is it really a spinal cord of science? What is the motive behind mathematical creations? Like poetry and music how far does it give artistic amusement to people?
All these questions can be answered from various viewpoints. All the same, mathematics is only a sort of game of imaginary symbols. But this