The endeavor of Philosophy is to understand the position of the human being in the Universe, the Nature of life, the cause and purpose of creation and the classic conundrum as to ‘Who am I?’ Rene Descartes famously declared “I think therefore I am” imparting essentiality to thought and contemplation. In Buddhism humans are beings with a mind stream. Although, other animals like Monkeys, Dolphins, Chimps and Elephants can think and display intelligent behavior, it is the human being, who is capable of ‘self-reflection’ which opens the doors of philosophy and epistemology.
The primary question or quest that has spiraled generations of thinkers has been about “What lies beyond?” It could be geographical, social, psychological, scientific or philosophical. This quest to understand the unknown and breach the beyond has been the fulcrum to new inventions or discoveries. Art has consistently portrayed this effort, this awe and wonder and we have examples in Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker and Michelangelo’s David. Archimedes famously declared “Give me a place to stand with a lever. I will move the whole world” showing a new found confidence in the invincibility of science. Physicians and Mathematicians; Archimedes, Pythagoras, Copernicus explored the field to come out with path breaking discoveries. Galileo said “ Measure what can be measured and make measurable what cannot be measured.”
Against the immutable universal laws and the baffling magnitude of the cosmos, the question of existence has rankled scientific minds. Taking modern Physics to another level Albert Einstein advanced the theory of relativity. Going further Heisenberg proposed his uncertainty principle, which says “We cannot know both the position and speed of a particle, with perfect accuracy.” The uncertainty principle has made me reflect about the wisdom of ancient Indian texts, which speak about being and consciousness.
“ I am here I am there,
I am not here, I am not there.
If you think I am here, I am here.
If you think I am not here, I am not here.
I am form and I am emptiness
I am light and I am darkness.
I am the truth and I am the untruth. “
The paradox in these statements, tells me that ancient Indian wisdom had understood this conundrum long ago. The immeasurability or the uncertainty of space, movement and time; the three elements of consciousness is succinctly captured in the saying ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ meaning I am the ultimate energy; the Individual is the Universe, the Universe is the Individual. The immeasurability of the sub-atomic particle or the paramanu or the impossibility of locating it testifies to this concept.