13-03-14
Dear friends, this is one of the articles written by me specially for the blogspot. I hope you appreciate it. -- Kartik
Prof Sundar Sarukkai: Abstraction-in-form
By Kartik Lokhande
Physics
relates to form and philosophy to abstraction. When both these
seemingly diverse-in-nature entities meet, they yield an
abstraction-in-form, which the world knows as Prof Sundar Sarukkai.
This became clear as soon as one was welcomed warmly with a radiant face
wearing the ornament of polite smile, at Hotel Centre Point here on
Thursday (March 13, 2014). Prof Sarukkai was staying in Room No 301 and
had called us for an interaction. One was charmed with the simplicity of
the man of eminence. Clad in simple kurta and jeans, caressing the
neatly unkempt locks of hair, the man had liberated his feet from the
grip of shoes to establish a connect with the wooden flooring of the
hotel room. The air of complexity of thought (as precursor to questions
to be posed to philosophy master) that one carried, vanished with his
first appearance. Then on, the interaction was as smooth as an enjoyable
melody.
There is public perception of distinction between Science and
Philosophy. But, Prof Sarukkai -- who is trained in both -- feels that
there is overlapping of Science and Philosophy. According to him, the
Greek concept of Philosophy relates to ‘love for wisdom’ while the
Indian concept to ‘vision’. To go further with his point, he refers to
history. “Till 18th Century, there was nothing called the discipline of
Science. In fact, even Newton was treated as Natural Philosopher,” he
informs. Based on this, he makes an important observation that the ‘idea
of Science’ originated from Philosophy. However, he grieves, Modern
Science has removed Philosophy from thinking.
What has this led to? Crisis, he says.
In Indian context, Philosophy
Departments in educational institutions are closing down and Science
students are not being taught logic though Science begins with
hypothesis, of which logic is an integral part. This, despite the fact
that Newton had brought hypothesis into the act of Science. There is a
fine distinction in Science and Philosophy, but it does not separate
both. “Science says this is truth and Philosophy asks what is truth. In a
way, Science is descriptive and philosophy is meditative. But, both are
connected by truth,” he adds.
Physics relates to form and Philosophy to abstraction, but Science is a
complex ‘form of abstraction’, believes Prof Sarukkai. Further
provocation on this topic of bond between Science and Philosophy, yields
Prof Sarukkai say that Philosophy has increased understanding of the
foundation of Science.
Time and space are two fundamental entities in Science forming its
foundation. Then, does Philosophy function to create space or fill it
up? In Prof Sarukkai’s opinion, Philosophy clarifies as to what
constitutes space. “The function of Philosophy is to weed out the
unnecessary and clear the ground so that space becomes visible,” he adds
with a knowing smile. Once that space is made visible, one moves closer
to wisdom. And, here one enters the realm of imagination. The
physicist-philosopher believes that imagination is cognition or a
faculty of mind and idea of the possible. However, imagination is not as
clear as perception. “Because, imagination makes one think that present
is absent, and absent is present. This is very thought-provoking,” he
elaborates in a simple, and hence, complex manner.
The talk went on and on for over an hour and there was a discussion on a
variety of issues ranging from fear, its origin within, philosophy of
Buddhism, Jainism, impact of the abstract on the form and that of form
on the abstract. With every word spoken, Prof Sarukkai became charged up
with new expression to his understanding of Philosophy and Science.
Sometimes, he got engrossed in his own thoughts. Sometimes, he
emphasised on expression with gestures. Sometimes, he simply nodded in
understanding. But, everytime, through every one of his expressions, he
conveyed one simple thing -- unperishable bond between the form and the
abstraction.
That is what one calls Philosophy, doesn’t one?
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