Limitations of Scientific knowledge and

the concept of knowledge through consciousness in Jain philosophy.

Dr. Surendra Singh Pokharna

Former Scientist, Space Applications Center (ISRO)

Chief Operating Officer (COO), Hitech Outsourcing Services, Ahmedabad

I am very grateful to the following great souls who have been a source of inspiration and have introduced great sanskars since my childhood

•My Father Shriman Balwant Singhji sahab Pokharna and• •Mother Shrimati Lahar Kunwar Pokharna

* Late Grand Mother Shrimati Bhur Baiji Pokharna

•Late Bhuwasa Shrimati Mohan Devi Chowdhry

•Late Phuphasa Shriman Daulat Singhji Sahab Chowdhry

•Late Aacharya Shri 1008 Shri Ganesh Lalji Maharasahab

•Late Aacharya Shri 1008 Shri Nana Lalji Maharasahab

•Late Aacharya Shri 1008 Aacharya Tulsi

•1008 Aacharya Shri Nathmualji Swami (Mahapragayaji)

•Late Padam Vibhusan Shri Dalsukh Bhai Malvinia Sahab

•Late Padam Vibhusan Shri Daulat Singhji Sahab Kothari

NandiGhoshji Maharasa, KanakNandji and several other Aacharyas. Sadhus, Sadhvies

Summary of the talk

• Need to realize that scientific knowledge is only a subset of the total knowledge system

• Irreversible phenomena, Biological Systems and General Systems Irreversible phenomena, Biological Systems and General Systems TheoryTheory

• Three examples which shows a need to define consciousness as a knowledge system in a modern perspective.

• Implicate order of quantum mechanics might be very close to the concept of soul and universe in Jainism.

• The Darwin’s principle of “The survival of the fittest” versus the principle of “Live and Let Live” .

• Spiritual processes are accompanied by a decrease in rate of entropy production and emergence of a new type of order

Need to realize that scientific knowledge is only a subset of the total knowledge system

• Scientific knowledge as defined through physics has severe limitations due to mere definitions of conservations laws and process of measurements along with statistical errors.

• Actually the recent developments in computer science and neurobiology clearly show that knowledge is nothing but information organized in some way. And in turn, information is just organization of data in some fashion.

• It is also realized that human consciousness (and even animal consciousness) is capable of organizing these data and can generate information and hence knowledge in some way.

• Therefore what we call as scientific knowledge is just a subset of this grand concept of knowledge, which can exist in the human consciousness.

• Concept of knowledge as structured in the consciousness is described in various Indian schools of thought in general and Jainism in particular needs to be reexamined in a scientific perspective.

Why physical laws have limitations

Conservations laws of mass/energy, linear momentum and angular momentum are defined for isolated closed systems. Variables which remain constant with time, linear spatial displacement and rotational motion for such closed isolated systems are defined as mass/energy, linear momentum and angular momentum etc.

These are the fundamental attributes of any scientific (physical) description (physics) of reality as perceived in a pure scientific methodology.

All other descriptions come out as derivatives from these basic properties.

Godel's incompleteness theorems :

The most attractive aspect of scientific knowledge is its mathematical basis. We generally

feel that this mathematical representation of various scientific facts make our knowledge

more precise and accurate. However,from the following theorems which have been put

forward by the great mathematician Kurtz Godel, we find that any mathematical

representation of any physical reality limits our knowledge of that reality. Not only this but

the theorem also imply that none of the languages or representation can express the

reality of nature with perfection. Complete knowledge must necessarily have its foundation

in an inexpressed, unmanifest field of intelligence. Let us begin with the theorems.

Godel's first in-completeness theorem

This theorem says that the truth of a formalism (which describes any

phenomenon) cannot be proved. Thus no finite expression of mathematical

knowledge can ever provide a basis for comprehensive knowledge even of

the elementary properties of the counting numbers. Thus if one starts with

a collection C of symbolic mathematical (or any other) axioms which is

specifiable by a finite number of mechanical rules, and if C is consistent,

then there will be a true statement about the counting numbers which can-

not be proved from the axioms C, using the standard rules of mathematical

logic. The proof of this theorem shows that from C one can construct a

sentence S in the simple mathematical language of elementary number

theory whose meaning is : This sentence is not provable from C. Once S is

constructed it follows easily that S must be true but not provable from

C. Thus on the basis of any finitely specifiable collection of axioms C, one

cannot prove all true propositions about the counting numbers.

Godel's second incompleteness theorem

• A formal language (mathematical or any other) if consistent cannot define its own truth i.e. the definition of truth for a theory must be of ahigher order than the theory itself. We can also say that the consistency of any specifiable collection of axioms can never be established on the basis of mathematical arguments which can be justified by these axioms. Thus to establish the validity of any single mathematical system one must necessarily utilize a more comprehensive system, to validate the latter system one has to investigate an even more comprehensive system.

Limitations of Science as applied to Biological (Human) systems

• Biological systems are essentially irreversible in nature, that is they grow and decay.

• They are also open systems compared to the physical systems which are closed systems.

• Hence biological and social systems can not be subjected to the process of measurements and hence they are not exactly describable in the strict terminology of the physical sciences.

• In addition, human systems have memory which makes it impossible to do any strictly defined scientific experiment on them.

• Hence such systems are studied in a different way by using statistical procedures. In such methods only some rough trends or patterns can be found.

• A new discipline has recently emerged which is called General Systems Theory (GST). It has been developed to handle such systems only.

• Different sets of rules are there to describe and understand such systems. This development will be very useful to understand the meaning of spirituality in the modern context.

Basics of General Systems Theory

• It is used to understand the Living Systems (Biological systems, Social and Human Systems)

• It is applicable to the open systems unlike the physical theories for closed systems

• Here the wholes are irreducible to the parts• Whole can be more than the sum of the parts• High interdependence: parts cannot be treated in isolation• There is an organized complexithy• The concepts of entropy and information are very important in such cases• Systems resists trends towards disorder by: (1) importing energy from the

environment• Processing information• Consequences are of interest (Goal directed systems)• Properties of organizations cannot be inferred from those of component

subsystems

Need to develop a Process based thinking to recognize interconnectedness among different events and systems

• All systems and subsystems studied in any discipline are

interconnected either physically or through their time variations.

• This interconnectedness is extremely important if we wish to study the

system in question in a complete way.

• Evolution of any system in time consists of various processes which

are interconnected in some well defined way. Again for a complete

description of the truth, one has to study this whole set of processes.

Why understanding of consciousness is necessary in the modern time

As per Asimov, consciousness will be one of the three frontiers in which research will be done in

the 21st century.

The other two will be astronomy and environment.

Scientists like E P Wigner, B D Josephson, E Prigogine, Issaic Asimov, R Penrose, David Bohm

E C G Sudarshan like physicists and several others feel that consciousness is very important requirement if science has to progress further

Characteristics of a pure soul as defined in Jain religion (Ocean of knowledge)

Pure soul

Infinite knowledge

Infinite intuition

Infinite bliss

Infinite power

Five types of knowledge is a five dimensional system

KNOWLEDGE THROUGH

CONSCIOUSNESS

MATI JNANAKnowledge through One’s own intuition

SHRUTA JNANAKnowledge acquired

From teachers and scriptures

ModernScience

AVADHI JNANAKnowledge off

space and time

MANAPARYAYAI JNANA

Knowledge of othersHeart and brain

KEVAL JNANAAbsolute knowledge

Spiritual Science

Shrimad Raichanji, Guru of Mahatma Gandhi had capacity to do 52 activities together

• To play the game of chopat, a kind of checkerboard, with three different players 1• To play cards with three different persons 1• To play chess with one person 1• To keep a tally of the chimes of a Zalar a small gong 1• To Keep computing sums mentally invoking addition, Subtraction, multiplication and division 4• To count the beads on a thread 1• To compose verses on sixteen diverse topics selected afresh, and in metrical forms chosen by various referees 16• To answer about eight new riddles 8• To recall four hundred words given at random from languages including Greek, English,

Sanskrit, Arabic, Latin, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, rearranging them in proper order such as subject, object etc. all the while attending to various other matters. 16• To explain certain things to a student 1• Commentary on certain items of figures of speech 2• ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total activities = 52

Details of one hundred questions answered in same sequence by Shri Ajay Chandra Sagarji Maharasahab on Nov 16, 2009 at Town Hall, Ahmedabad.

•  

• Item No. Detail

• 1 to 10 One Line sentences may be in questionary form

• 11-20 Words of Wisdom in a sentence of 5 to 7 words

• 21 First line of a Sanskrit Shloka

• 22 to 30 Synonym or Antonym in Gujarati

• 31 Second line of the same Sanskrit Shloka

• 32 to 40 Idioms

• 41 Third line of Sanskrit Shloka

• 42 to 50 Any first line of the same Sanskrit Shloka

• 52 to 60 Names of any famous priest, religious book or religious place

• 61 A mathematical miracle

• 62 to 70 Name of any philosopher, scientist or patriotic person

• 71 First part of 16 Blocks- mathematical miracle

• 72 to 80 See and Remember ( Darshan Avadhan)

• 81 Second part 16 blocks- mathematical miracle

• 82 to 90 See and Remember( Darshan Avadhan)

• 91 9 Blocks- Mathematical miracle

• 92 to 99 Mathematical calculation with 8 persons

• 100 Day of the Birthday

• 101-104 A line from Jain Religious song or cultural song or any

patriotic song

• 105 to 108 Shloka from Jain Aagams

Property of consciousness: Remarkable memory of Swami Vivekanad

• If we look at some meaning of the term consciousness in the scientific perspective than we find that it is a property of all biological systems.

• When our acharyas, rishies and munies talk of realization of a higher state of consciousness which has certain characteristics, than it is worth examining the following example.

• This concerns with extraordinary sharp memory of Swami Vivekanand (The Life of Swami Vivekanand, Vol II, pp. 634, Advaitva Ashrama, 1989).

• As per this Swamiji had such a sharp memory that he almost remembered 11 volumes of Encyclopedia Britannica, which he had just read once. He could virtually recall any line on any page of any of the 11 volumes.

An evidence to show that higher dimensions of knowledge might be existing

• Modern system of measurement of length

• 10 Millimeters = 1 Centimeter• 10 Centimeters = 1 Decimeter• 10 Decimeters = 1 Meter• 10 Meters = 1

Decameters• 10 Decameters = 1 Hacometers• 10 Hactometers = 1 Kilometers

Table of measurement of length developed by Jains Infinitely many parmanus = 1 Avasannasanna skandha8 Avasannasanna skandha = 1 Sannasanna skandha8 Sannasanna skandha = 1 Trut Renu8 Trut Renu = 1 Tras Renu8 Tras Renu = 1 Rath Renu8 Rath Renu = 1 Uttama Bhog Bhumi Balagra8 Uttama Bhog Bhumi Balagra = 1 Madhyama Bhog Bhumi

Balagra8 Madhyama Bhog Bhumi Balagra = 1 Jaghanyya Bhog Bhumi

Balagra8 Jaghanyya Bhog Bhumi Balagra = 1 Karma Bhumi Balagra8 Karma Bhumi Balagra = 1 Liksha8 Liksha = 1 Yuka8 Yuka = 1 Yava8 Yava = 1 Angula

Table of measurement of length developed by Jains (cont.) 6 Angula = 1 Pada 2 Pada = 1 Vitasthi 2 Vitasthi = 1 Hasta 2 Hasta = 1 Rikku (Kisku) 2 Rikku = 1 Dhanus 1000 Dhanus = 1 Krosa 4 Krosa = 1 Yojana

From Tiloy Pannati

Size of smallest particles of matter in Jainsim

• 1 Angula (Width of a finger) = 2 cm = 812 Avsannasanna skandhas

• So size of 1 Avsannasanna skandhas = 2X8-12 cm = 2.9X10-11 cm

• Size of an atom = 10- 8 cm and Size of a nucleus = 10-13 cm

• Size of an atom > Size of 1 Avsannasanna skandhas > Size of a nucleus

• Inference: Jain Aacharyas have attempted to estimate the size of smallest particles of matter which is statistically significant and matches quite well with the size of the modern atoms and nuclei.

• This indirectly indicates the existence of a new concept of

knowledge through consciousness

Implications of these observations

• There exist extraordinary controls in the human systems which can be developed through spiritual practices.

• These controls are such that one can control various physiological processes of one’s body in general and that of brain and mind in particular.

• One has to therefore find those mechanisms which are behind these practices.

• One has to then find out those conditions under which these mechanisms operate.

Spiritual Processes results into decrease in rate of entropy production

It appears that with uncontrolled expansion of science, technology and their

economic exploitation have essentially resulted in to a large increase in the entropy of

the biosphere, cut throat competition in all walks of life, degradation of moral values etc.

These are virtually destroying the basic foundation of the life processes on this planet.

The practices adopted by Jain monks on the other hand appear to produce least entropy

in the atmosphere. Hence the rate of production of entropy by the Jain monks is very

low. This alone can be a single great idea. This concept will have a far reaching

consequences. Thus when people are talking about global warming due to uncontrolled

emission of gases in the atmosphere, thus adding more and more entropy in the

biosphere, the practices of Jain monks of low entropy production can play a very

fundamental role to check this menace of the modern science.

Order and Guna-sthanas• It appears that as one progresses towards higher and higher

Gunssthanas, there is increase in the orderliness of the mind.

•It would mean that entropy is maximum in the first Gunasthan and is

lowest in the highest (14 th ) Gunasthan.

• Not only this, even the rate of entropy production goes down as one

moves higher and higher in the Ladder of Gunasthanas.

• Hence the state of pure consciousness (a soul completely free from

matter) is accompanied by highest order.

• What is the characteristic of a pure soul and what it perceives, can

science provide some idea. ?

David Bohm's challenges to some generally prevailing views • That phenomena are reducible to fundamental particles and laws

describing the behaviour of particles, or more generally to any static (i.e. unchanging) entities, whether separate events in space-time, quantum states, or static entities of some other nature.

• Related to (1), that human knowledge is most fundamentally concerned with mathematical prediction of statistical aggregates of particles.

• That an analysis or description of any aspect of reality (e.g. quantum theory, the speed of light) can be unlimited in its domain of relevance.

• That the Cartesian coordinate system, or its extension to a curvilinear system, is the deepest conception of underlying order as a basis for analysis and description of the world.

• That there is ultimately a sustainable distinction between reality and thought, and that there is a corresponding distinction between the observer and observed in an experiment or any other situation (other than a distinction between relatively separate entities valid in the sense of explicate order).

• That it is, in principle, possible to formulate a final notion concerning the nature of reality; e.g. a Theory of Everything.

Implicate order of quantum mechanics and Jain concept of soul• According David Bohm, in the enfolded [or implicate] order, space and time are

no longer the dominant factors determining the relationships of dependence or independence of different elements. Rather, an entirely different sort of basic connection of elements is possible, from which our ordinary notions of space and time, along with those of separately existent material particles, are abstracted as forms derived from the deeper order. These ordinary notions in fact appear in what is called the "explicate" or "unfolded" order, which is a special and distinguished form contained within the general totality of all the implicate orders (Bohm, 1980, p. xv).

• In Bohm’s conception of order, then, primacy is given to the undivided whole, and the implicate order inherent within the whole, rather than to parts of the whole, such as particles, quantum states, and continua. For Bohm, the whole encompasses all things, structures, abstractions and processes, including processes that result in (relatively) stable structures as well as those that involve metamorphosis of structures or things. In this view, parts may be entities normally regarded as physical, such as atoms or subatomic particles, but they may also be abstract entities, such as quantum states. Whatever their nature and character, according to Bohm, these parts are considered in terms of the whole, and in such terms, they constitute relatively autonomous and independent "sub-totalities". The implication of the view is, therefore, that nothing is entirely separate or autonomous.

• This implicate order of quantum mechanics is very close to the Jain’s concept of soul and its relation to the whole world in general and the concept of moksh in particular. This state seems to be that of a Kevalgnani

Religious practices which help in maintaining equilibrium and balance in one’s life and results into an increase in order

•Regular chanting of Navkar mantra•Regular visit to upasaras/temples/sthanak•Practice of biyasana/ekasana/aayimbal/upwas at regular intervals•Pratikramanas at regular intervals•Control eating habits and food type and place and the way we eat•Many of these practices act as control mechanism which are similar to those found in control systems•The effects of these practices on human psychology, physiology and sociology should be verified using the standard methodologies used in the field of social sciences.

Regular religious practices help in reducing mental disorders (entropy)

Time in some units

MentalDisorder

T1 T2 T1 T2

Entropy

Builds up

Religious Practices reduces entropy

MinimumMentaldisorder

X-axis

Y-axis

AB

OC D E

Spiritual and materialistic (economic/entropy) growth

Materialistic growth

SpiritualGrowth

X- axix

Y- axis

Pure materialistic growth

Less spiritual growth

More spiritual growth

O

(0rdinary Soul)

A

B

C

D

P

Pure spiritual growth

Balanced growthE

Increase in Order as one goes up towards higher Gunasthanas

Gunasthanas Number (Steps) Degree of order

-------------------------------------------14 Ultimately highest

-------------------------------------------13 Highest

-------------------------------------------12 Very Very high

-------------------------------------------11 Very high

-------------------------------------------10 High

-------------------------------------------09 Quite highly ordered

-------------------------------------------08 Intermediately ordered

-------------------------------------------07 Medium ordered

-------------------------------------------06 Some more order

-------------------------------------------05 Some order

-------------------------------------------04 Slightly ordered

-------------------------------------------03 Low

-------------------------------------------02 Lowest

-------------------------------------------01 Complete chaos

Darwin’s principle of evolution (survival of fittest versus)Jains principle of evolution of soul (Live and Let Live)

• Darwin’s principle

• Based on physical reality

• Emphasis on differences in species

• Results into unwanted competition

• Society has been damaged due to it

• Need to highlight its disadvantages

• Live and Let Live

• Based on spiritual reality

• Emphasis on underlying identity

• Results into cooperation

• Society gets enlightenment

• Need to spread it in the world

Definition of this order

Let us first note that the concept of Gunasthan is very close to the concept of phases in physics, chemistry, biology, sociology and other disciplines.

Once we agree that Gunasthanas represent a new direction of evolution accompanied by an increase of purity of soul and some kind of spiritual order along with knowledge domain, then the question would be:

What is the meaning of this order ?

Physiological and psychological order of the brain could be one part of this grand order.

Capability of a Shatavdhani would be another important attribute in definition of this order. (This seems to be a prerequisite for higher knowledge systems.)

The observation of coherent states of electromagnetic waves (Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta waves) emitted from the brain in a state of meditation and observed through EEG and MEG could be another measure of this grand order.

The capability of some persons to have avadhi gnana and manparyaya gnana will also be part of this order

Conclusions and final remarks• There is an urgent need to recognize that scientific knowledge has limitations and

there is meaningful knowledge beyond science.

• The concept of knowledge defined as an intrinsic property of soul in Jainism must be

therefore taken very seriously and analyzed so as to have new knowledge system in

the modern perspective.

• Process based thinking is immediately required to recognize this new knowledge

system.

• The direction of evolution in which purity of soul increase could be a new criteria of

evolution which is different from the Darwin’s principle of evolution.

• This new direction of evolution seems to be related with some type of decrease in rate of

entropy production and an increase in orderliness which increases as one moves up in the

ladder of Gunasthanas. There are excellent examples where measurements to see this

orderliness is possible.

• Concept of General Systems Theory (GST) and Implicate order of Quantum Mechanics

should be further discussed for better understanding of Jainism

JAI JINENDRA