Maharishi Kanada and Ancient Quantum Theory

Introduction 

Throughout history, humanity has sought to unravel the mysteries of existence, delving into the nature of reality and the building blocks of the cosmos. Long before the advent of modern science, Maharishi Kaṇāda envisioned a universe composed of indivisible particles—atoms—forming the foundation of all matter. His pioneering work laid the groundwork for atomic theory and intersected the realms of science and philosophy.

In this article, we journey from the profound insights of ancient Indian philosophy to the limits of classical physics, exploring the harmonious relationship between Kaṇāda's vision and the revolutionary concepts of quantum mechanics. Together, we seek to understand how these frameworks reshape our perception of reality and push the boundaries of knowledge itself.

Who is Maharishi Kanada?

Maharishi Kanada, also known as Kaṇāda, was an ancient Indian philosopher and scientist who founded the Vaisheshika school of Hindu philosophy. He is renowned for his pioneering work in atomic theory and natural philosophy. Kaṇāda lived centuries ago sometime between 6th century to 2nd century BCE. His traditional name "Kaṇāda" means "atom eater" He proposed a groundbreaking theory that everything in the universe is composed of minuscule, indivisible particles called atoms. Also developed the foundations of an atomistic approach to physics and philosophy in the Sanskrit text Vaiśeṣika Sūtra. These atoms, according to Kaṇāda, could combine in various ways to form the diverse substances we observe around us.

I shared some touch in my previous blog post about "Nature Of Reality And Limits Of Classical Physics" which you may refer to enhance understanding about classical physics and quantum mechanics in some simple words. 

His insightful ideas were revolutionary for their time, laying the foundation for our understanding of the atomic structure of matter. Kaṇāda's philosophy, known as Vaisheshika, delved into the nature of reality, exploring concepts such as substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence.

Beyond his atomic theory, Kaṇāda's contributions extended to other areas of philosophy. He addressed metaphysical questions such as the nature of the soul and the ultimate goal of human existence. His ideas have had a profound influence on subsequent Indian philosophical traditions, particularly the Nyaya school.

Kaṇāda's work is not limited to philosophy. His atomic theory has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of the physical world, inspiring scientific advancements and discoveries. His legacy continues to be celebrated and studied by scholars and thinkers around the globe.

1. Atomic Theory: Maharishi Kanada proposed that all matter is composed of indivisible particles called “paramanu” (atoms). He suggested that these atoms are eternal, indestructible, and combine in various ways to form different substances. 
2. Vaisheshika Sutras: His ideas are detailed in the Vaisheshika Sutras, a foundational text that explores the nature of the universe, causation, and the properties of matter. This text is a blend of philosophy, science, and logic.
3. Six Categories (Padarthas): Kanada’s system identifies six categories that describe everything in the universe: substance (dravya), quality (guna), action (karma), generality (samanya), particularity (vishesha), and inherence (samavaya).
4. Influence on Other Fields: His work influenced not only philosophy but also other fields such as medicine. For example, the medical text Charaka Samhita is believed to have been influenced by his ideas.

* Although his atomic theory was one of the earliest known systematic realist ontologies in human history. His ideas laid the groundwork for later developments in both Indian and global scientific thought, late to reach most people's understanding. In my personal opinion, we have to keep away from feeling proud, and instead look into science in a deeper view, which can unleash further understanding rather than limiting ourselves to what we have been taught or told. The Vedas seeing knowledge in intellectual view rather than spiritual or religious view, and religions were later constructed as a mechanism for devotional service. 

The Unique Approach of Atomic Physics to Human Life

Maharishi Kanada indeed took a unique approach that connects atomic physics to everyday human life. While modern science often focuses on the technical aspects of particle physics, Kanada’s philosophy goes beyond what we can see with our eyes.

His atomic theory wasn’t just about the physical properties of atoms. He integrated his understanding of atoms into a broader philosophical framework that explained how these tiny particles influence the world around us. His work in the Vaisheshika Sutras explores not only the composition of matter but also how it interacts and changes, providing insights into the nature of reality itself.

Relating to Human Life

Kanada’s theories are deeply connected to human experience. By explaining that everything is made up of atoms, he offered a way to understand the diversity and complexity of the world. This perspective helps us see the interconnectedness of all things, from the smallest particles to the vast universe.

Beyond the Visible

Kanada’s work encourages us to look beyond what is immediately visible. His atomic theory suggests that there is much more to reality than what we can perceive with our senses. This idea resonates with the notion that there are deeper truths and structures underlying the apparent world, inviting us to explore and understand the unseen aspects of existence.

In essence, Maharishi Kanada’s approach bridges the gap between the microscopic world of atoms and the macroscopic world of human experience, offering a holistic view that enriches our understanding of both science and philosophy. His work reminds us that the universe is full of hidden wonders waiting to be discovered.

Intellectual Observation 

Kanada makes empirical observations such as the rising upwards of fire, magnetic movement, rain and thunder, and the growth of grass, and offers naturalistic explanations to them in his text Vaisheshika Sutra.

Veda's Insight 

Vaisheshika Darshana:
Dharma is that through which there is the accomplishment of rising to the unsurpassed good. Because it is an exposition of that, it has the authority of Veda. – Vaisheshika Sutras 1.1-2

(...) That there is only one individual (soul) is known from the absence of particularity when it comes to the emergence of an understanding of happiness and suffering, (whereas) a multiplicity of individuals is inferred from their perseverance in dharma, and from the strength of their teaching. – Vaisheshika Sutras 3.16-18

The true being is eternal, having no cause. Its indicator is its effect. The presence of the effect arises from the presence of its cause. – Vaisheshika Sutras 4.1-3

—Kaṇāda, Translated by John Wells

What is related to modern quantum physics? 

In my own observation, Paramanu was a Sanskrit word for Atom, which was John Dalton later came up with Atomic Theory, that all matter that we see: Solid, Liquid, and Gas, is made up of tiny particles called Atoms and molecules. Beyond the atom is a world of subatomic particles and fundamental forces. At that time of era, scientists did not delve into subatomic particles which had not been discovered during that time. Another historical idea that matter is not continuous dates back to ancient Greek philosophers like Democritus, who proposed that matter is made up of indivisible particles called atoms. Later on, scientists discovered that matter is not continuous but rather quantized.

In 1900 a scientist by the name of Max Planck was trying to solve a problem related to Black Body Radiation

(The emission of electromagnetic radiation) from an object that absorbs all incident radiation. Classical Electromagnetism can not explain about spectrum of Black Body Radiation. which is Planck then made the conclusion that the energy level is quantized, which is the departure from classical physics towards quantum physics. Within several experiments, quantum physics acknowledges wave-particle duality - light particles can both act as waves or particles. Click here for YouTube video for Black Body Radiation 

What we have here is that modern physics has delved deeper into the explainable reality in contrast to the uncertainty of Kanada's atomic physics works, which philosophically approached human life interference with the microscopic view of the quantum realm. Quantization in Quantum Mechanics means that certain physical properties, like energy, can only exist in discrete amounts or "packets." It's a departure from the classical physics view where these properties could take on any continuous value, 

*Discrete amounts refer to quantities that can only take on specific, separate values. It's like having a set of coins where you can only have whole numbers of coins, not fractions. For example, the energy levels of electrons in an atom are quantized. Electrons can only occupy certain energy levels, like rungs on a ladder. They can't exist in between these levels. This is why we say that the energy of electrons in atoms is in discrete amounts.

Ancient Atomic Theory 

• Greek Philosophers: The concept of atomic theory dates back to the 5th century BCE with Greek philosophers like Leucippus and Democritus. They proposed that all matter is composed of small, indivisible particles called "atomos".
• Kaṇāda: Much earlier, around the 6th to 2nd century BCE, He introduced the concept of “paramanu” (atoms), suggesting that everything in the physical world is made up of these tiny, indivisible particle. His work, documented in the Vaiśeṣika Sūtra, laid the groundwork for an atomistic approach to physics and philosophy in India.

Quantum Physics and Vedic Insights

• Max Planck: In 1900, Max Planck’s work on black-body radiation led to the discovery that energy is quantized, marking the birth of quantum physics.
• Wave-Particle Duality: Quantum mechanics revealed that particles like electrons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, a concept known as wave-particle duality.
• Interconnectedness: The Vedas and Upanishads explore the nature of reality and consciousness, proposing that Brahman (the ultimate reality) is the core of all existence. This idea resonates with the quantum concept of entanglement, where particles remain interconnected regardless of distance.
• Consciousness: Vedic philosophy posits that consciousness is fundamental to the universe, aligning with modern quantum theories that suggest the observer plays a crucial role in the behaviour of particles.

The parallels between Vedic insights and quantum physics highlight a profound interconnectedness and a deeper understanding of reality that transcends traditional scientific boundaries. Both fields suggest that consciousness and the fundamental nature of reality are intricately linked. 

Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, and quantum field theory

Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, formulated by Werner Heisenberg in 1927. It states that there are limits to how precisely we can simultaneously know certain pairs of properties of a particle. The most commonly discussed pair is position and momentum. Mathematically, it can be expressed as: 

= uncertainty in position
= uncertainty of momentum
=Planck's constant
=pi

This principle implies that the more precisely we know the position of a particle, the less precisely we can know its momentum, and vice versa. This is not due to limitations in measurement technology but is a fundamental property of nature.

Quantum Field Theory (QFT)

Quantum Field Theory is an advanced framework that combines classical field theory, special relativity, and quantum mechanics. It provides a comprehensive description of how particles interact and how forces operate at the quantum level. 

Fields and Particles:

In QFT, particles are seen as excitations or quanta of underlying fields. For example, photons are excitations of the electromagnetic field.

Interactions:

Interactions between particles are described by the exchange of force-carrying particles, known as gauge bosons. For instance, the electromagnetic force is mediated by photons.

Standard Model:

The Standard Model of particle physics is a QFT that describes three of the four fundamental forces (electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions) and classifies all known elementary particles.

Renormalization:

QFT deals with infinities that arise in calculations through a process called renormalization, which allows for meaningful physical predictions.

Applications:

QFT is essential for understanding phenomena such as particle collisions in accelerators, the behaviour of condensed matter systems, and the early universe’s conditions.


These concepts are at the heart of modern physics and have profound implications for our understanding of the universe.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, while the ancient Indian concept of Paramanu laid the philosophical groundwork, the modern atomic theory has been significantly enriched by experimental evidence, theoretical frameworks, and technological advancements. The quantum realm, with its inherent uncertainty and the potential influence of human observation, presents a fascinating and challenging frontier for scientific exploration. Personally, I do not understand to any deeper level and I do not approach myself into that but rather keep exploring as much as I am able to cope. The human brain is not designed to certain limits, and I believe there are many ways to explore science, basically from observations. 

The Vedic insights and quantum physics highlight interconnectedness and a deeper understanding of reality that transcends traditional scientific boundaries. Both fields suggest that consciousness and the fundamental nature of reality are intricately linked. It is either way to understand nature, both the Vedic and Physics approaches enhance understanding. Where relying on Vedic often leads to spiritual realm physics on other hand provides experimental scientific evidence. Both are mutually enriching.


We will delve deeper into Neuroscience and Quantum Physics in another blog post.

Quantum Physics in Neuroscience suggest "Quantum Consciousness" which means quantum processes play a role in consciousness.

8:20PM 11-10-24