Vedanta Philosophy & Modern

Science : A Comparative Study

Prof. Ananda M Ghosh.

Kolkata, India.

From The Big Bang to Mindful Human Beings -- A Journey

Nature with space + time + sub-atomic & atomic Matters were created first out of that Big Bang explosion < occured about 13 billion years before> Big Bang was triggered by the Omnipresent Consciousness ( Bosonic God Particles ) Much later, Life appeared on this Earth when Natural environment became life- supportive Life, which just started as an animal, got elevated ultimately upto a Conscious creative Mindful Man Personal Creativity /Cogition levels vary in persons due to improper use of built-in consciousness
A. M. Ghosh 2

How Human Mind can discover Truth ?

Genetically

coded Human Potentialities can be manifested by education / meditation + filtering out pure thoughts
from impure Ones

Enriched

Mind can discover truth either in the form of Science or in the form of Philosophy, such as, Vedanta [ collection of
Wisdom of Indian Sages ]
A. M. Ghosh 3

Science Vs. Vedanta Philosophy

Science

takes Bottom-up approach

Starts with Physical Objects and ends with Quanta and Uncertainty of Measurements
Vedanta

takes Top-down approach

Starts with the Ultimate Truth as Bramha and ends with total surrender to One Global Super - Consciousness [say - God ]
Vedanta Demands :: Complete Purification of the Observers Mind and Selfless Love for ALL
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Logical Inferencing Vs. Truth Realization

Intelligence Can draw logical Inferences --

but Consciousness is essentially required for the Realization of Absolute Truth For Verification & Confirmation ..... Science believes in experimental verification before accepting anything as True Vedanta believes in mental vision of ONE Bramha -- as the root of ALL Truths
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FACT -- We Fail to note very often

Every human observer can be regarded as an ATOM of the Physical Universe, but every such conscious atom contains a mental universe of its own Physical Universe is Unique for ALL, but mental universe is different for each one Science deals mainly with the measurable Physical Universe and ignores the influence of individual Observers mental state(s)

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Limitations of Observations
Human Observers detect external phenomena by 5 Sense organs and process those acquired signals in Neural-Networks for final interpretation, classification and Realization of the Truth {using Minds working

memory + Stored Knowledge + <partially or fully> Manifested Intelligence and Consciousness } ------------------------------------------------------------ [ Remember :: 96% of the External Universe is Dark ; 4% is observable, so only measurable ]
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Duality of Real Existence

Physical Universe is only a Part of the Whole Real Existence

Imperfect Human Observations ( manipulating only physical existence ) cannot reveal the complte Truth Apparent truth is taken as Maya in Vedanta : and as Probability in Science ..... Moreover .... Local / global or < particle /wave > existence Duality confirms -- physical objects are local projections of the complete global existence
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Science
Science

Vs.

Philosophy
Vedanta

---------------------

----------------------

Observations (external) Axioms / Theories Experimental Verifications

Observations (mental)
Realization / Meditation Conscious contact with

Tangible Applications for welfare of mankind

the Absolute ( like ClientServer communication ) Selfless LOVE for All + equal resource sharing
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A. M. Ghosh

Reasoning

Vs.

Realization
Vedanta ------------------- Realization driven

Science ------------------ Knowledge driven

Demands experimental Facilities

Demands Mental Purification

Cause- Effect forward Chaining

only 4% is physically observable (so detectable )

Cause - Purpose backward Chaining

100% realizable as Vision in a Pure Mind
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A. M. Ghosh

Objective Vs.
Objective Science ----------------------

Subjective
Subjective Vedanta --------------------

To find the most fundamental Particle / Energy of the Physical Universe only To apply that acquired knowledge for adding physical comforts to life

To find the Ultimate TRUTH that connects everything as a Whole To apply that Universal LOVE for balanced growth of anything & everybody on this Earth
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A. M. Ghosh

Mathematical Vs. Mental Models

Science ------------------------ Mathematical Model based search Cause-Effect Logic

Vedanta -------------------- Real - Reflection

Realization based search

Cause - Purpose Sync.

Mentally Realized Requiring fully Purified Mind ( Bramha consciousness ) only
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Experimentally Verified Requiring Observers Intelligence ( Scientific Consciousness ) only

A. M. Ghosh

Era of Modern Physics -- from

Quanta Concept to EPR experiment

1900 - Max Planks Radiation Quanta ( mentioned in Sankhya as Tanmatra ) 1905 - Einsteins E = m * c^2 + particle property of light ( photon ) 1913 - Bohrs Atomic Model ( Anu of Baiseshik ) 1925 - Schroedinger --> Wave equation ( chaitanya or consciousness in Vedic texts) 1927 - de Broglie --> wave properties of matter 1927/28 - Heisenberg --> Uncertainty Principle

1935 - EPR ( Einstein, Podolsky, Rosen ) experiment {that Ghosh 13 confirms Quantum Existence A. &M.non-local connectivity }

Swami Vivekanandas Realization & its

Scientific verification
One atom in

this universe cannot move without dragging the whole world along with it. < expressed in 1897 >
Bells Theorem established mathematically the holistic universe concept in 1964 Alan Aspect experimentally verified the theory in 1982 [ non-local connectivity of photons ]
{ Thus a Monks Realization got ultimately Verified Scientifically after 85 years }
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Hologram & Holographic Brain Functions

[ a part can contain information of the whole ]

1947 - Dennis Gabor developed the Theory of Holography { that needs coherent [ i.e. pure ] light rays} 1960 - Bassov + Prokhorov + Towns Invented LASER ( as a source of pure coherent light rays ] 1960 - Karl Pribram - proposed holographic model of Human Brain ( human brain can be regarded as a hologram of the entire Universe )

1982 - Bohm - Pribram proposed Holographic Paradigm [ i.e. Everything is a holographic projection of ONE Universal consciousness ]
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Physics of Post - Einstein Era

1958 - N. Bohr [ non-material particles exist & microuniverse is observation/observer dependent ] 1964 - John Bell [ local / non-local principle { l > c* t } ] 1972-1982 - David Bohm --> Subjective Universe { Wholeness and the Implicate order } + Holographic Universe { part contains the image of the Whole} 1982 - Alain Aspect --> proved unbroken wholeness ( 2 photons from an atom always communicate even when moving in the opposite directions ) 1986 - Milo Wolff --> E = hf = mc^2 ( could theoretically
establish a connection between relativity and wave mechanics) -[ particle as a Stable Standing { SSW model } ] A. M. Wave Ghosh 16

Proposed Spherical Standing Wave ( SSW ) Model of an Atom

Local effects

Non - Local effects Atom as a Spherical Standing Wave

A. M. Ghosh 17

Prof. Niels Bohrs Comments (in 1958) -- A Turning Point in Science

life

cannot be defined as a system of material particles only. of microscopic physical systems cannot be described in a language independent of the means of observation .
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the behaviour

Quantum Properties of Biological Systems

Prof. Bohr said : "...the existence of life itself should be considered, both as regards its definition and observation, as a basic postulate of biology, not susceptible of further analysis, in the same way as the existence of the quantum of action, together with the ultimate atomicity of matter, forms the elementary basis of quantum physics." [ 1958 ]

{ Von Neumann ( his research during 1932- 1946) proposed a link between Consciousness & Quantum mechanics}
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Need of a New Scientific Approach for Consciousness

"...the impossibility in psychical ( i.e. Psychological ) experience to distinguish between the phenomena themselves and their conscious perception clearly demands a renunciation of a simple causal description on the models of classical physics, and the very way in which words like "thoughts" and "feelings" are used to describe such experience reminds one most suggestively of the complementarity encountered in atomic physics. [ said Prof. N. Bohr in 1958 ]
A. M. Ghosh 20

Mindful Universe : Henry Stapp

1977- 1993 : Henry Stapp: things outside space & time affect things inside space & time and Human Brain functions as a quantum system ( ref : Mindful Universe -2007 ] Effect of meditation on Monks of different faiths was observed by Dr. Hameroff ( in 1994 )

using fMRI -- local references to the meditators get lost & the realization of wholeness appears
( experienced by all Indian sages during dhyana practice )
A. M. Ghosh 21

TRUTH Realization - a subjective or

an Objective phenomenon ?

Trained Scientists can discover Natures mysteries. Purified mind of a Sage can realize universal Truth. Quantum collapse takes place in observers Brain Cells [ i.e. Neurons ] to draw inferences

Question

is -- human discovery or realization

process should be treated as an objective or a subjective phenomenon ?

{ out of many subjective possibilities just one objective actuality is picked up by human observer
// Quantum measurement theory now confirms it }
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Henry Stapps Interpretations

Human consciousness and the physical world cannot be regarded as distinct, separate entities. What we call physical reality, the external world, is shaped - to some extent - by human thought. We are intimately associated not only with the earth we inhabit, but with the farthest reaches of the cosmos. If the statistical predictions of quantum theory are true, an objective universe is incompatible with the law of local causes.
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Quantum Reality of micro Cosmos

quantum physicists now say that each particle of the universe contains all the information present in the entire cosmos
the universe is constructed on the same principles as the hologram [ Bohm ] , and to read that hologram correctly, an observer should have totally Purified mind ( like Laser for Holography ) The Interpreter human Brain works on the principle of probability collapse of Quantum Mechanics
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Thoughts of Vedic Sages -- from Rituals to Bramha Consciousness

1: Rituals to please Natures Super-Power 2: Sankhya & Yoga - felt the need & invented methods of augmenting Mental capability of observers to discover/realize truth correctly 3: Nyaya & Baiseshik - discovered & applied Logic + argumentation to detect fundamental elements in all living + non-living 4: Vedanta ( Upanishads ) { Identified Bramha Consciousness as only REAL -- all else Relative }
Idol Worshiping ( mainly meant for the beginners ) Ultimate GOAL :: to Unite with the UNIVERSAL Selfless Lover ( i.e. Brahma ) realizing Oneness A.in ALL M. Ghosh

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M. Lockwoods Observation
Brain & the Quantum ;

(1989: Mind, Oxf. University Press )

[1] Phenomenal -- what we experience & report about ( i.e. Qualities of things or Qualia ] and [2] Physical embodiment -- what induces & processes the sensations are two aspects ( or representations ) of the same real staff --- a relationship analogous to wave / particle complementarity
A. M. Ghosh 26

To explain the concept of Self < ahankar or I-ness > [ Chalmers Hard Problem ]
Scientists Tried to Explain Qualia on the basis of Neurological activities in Brain NCC ( Neural Correlates of Consciousness ) Vedantas Vision -- REAL existence is Consciousness ( i.e. Bramha ) only Physicists now accept the existence of Quantum Mind ( QM ) -- > brain generating thoughts and feelings to raise fundamental questions & find answers

A. M. Ghosh 27

Modern Physics beliefs in -- Two Forms of Existence { Goswami Model }

Objective

Physical Existence ( Local or Maya Existence ) Subjective Quantum Existence ( Quantum Non-Local Existence)
I- ness Centric ( Jib-atma ) --> Neuro-Cognitive engine [ particle-centric ] I- less Centric ( Param-atma) --> Consciousness-engine [global wave-centric ]
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Prof. Amit Goswamis research on Monistic Ontology

Consciousness is the ground of all being -

- free will is only Real.

Downward causation approach ( cause-effect Chain ) -- remains confined to Physical Observations only Upward causation approach ( cause-purpose Chain ) -- needs pure & perfect Conscious Observation or Vision to reveal the Absolute Truth

A. M. Ghosh 29

3-Layer Architecture of Consciousness

[3]

Quantum Mind ( Global Selfless Mind or divinity ) [2] Access - Consciousness ( Acquired by Educated or otherwise Purified Mind ) [1] Phenomenal Consciousness ( SubConscious Selfish Mind [ or animality ]
[ Selfless Work or Sage like Meditation can make a man True Observer of the Real A. M. Ghosh Universe ]

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More on Consciousness
Phenomenal

[ P-] Consciousness ( as

acquired through the process of evolution )

Access

[ A-] Consciousness ( acquired

through Education / meditation ) Quantum Mind [QM] ( Connecting individual mind with the Universal Mind in a client Server mode ) --> { Atma communicating with the Paratm-atma }
A. M. Ghosh 31

Scientific Studies In Search of Consciousness

Brain

Neural - Networks ( NCC Models) Penrose & Hameroffs -- Orch-OR Theory Amit Goswamis -- Monistic Ontological approach ( 2005] < Science within
Consciousness >
Dr.

Andrew Newbergs Experiments on Meditating Monks -> [ ref book : Why God Wont
Go Away ]
A. M. Ghosh 32

Two Descriptions of ( just ) one REAL existence

Physical

/ Phenomenal Particle / Wave Objective / Subjective . . . Two describable sets of properties both hold concurrently { like orthogonal projections} . . . The act of observing is what causes the
perception state vector to collapse into one of many possible existential states
A. M. Ghosh 33

Henry Stapps Views : How Mind can Interact

with Matter via Quantum Processes

Collapse events are occouring in neural-net Collapse of Brain states in the process of choosing between many possible alternatives Body - Mind is having Particle - Wave relationship Universe is not a fixed 4-dimensional structure but is constantly forging ahead into the future Free-Will could be seen as directly instrumental in the evolution of the Universe (Quantum Darwinism) A. M. Ghosh 34

David Bohm [ in 2005 ]

As Quantum theory & Relativity contradict one another, there is existence of a more fundamental level in the physical Universe Implicate order can explain both matter & consciousness [ explicate orders are mere projections of more fundamental Implicate order] Consciousness can be corelated to Karl Pribrams (1991) Holographic conceptions

A. M. Ghosh 35

Roger Penrose :

The Emperors New Mind & Shadows of the Mind

in Humans are Hyper- Computers ( brain can go beyond what can be demonstrated by mathematical axioms ) Quantum collapse to non-Real can take place as a result of Measurement imperfection or decoherence in brain waves Objective Reduction (OR) depends on neither Random
nor Computational activities in brain { it just selects information from space-time geometry when exceeding the limit of Plank-length } .... [ math-Logic consciousness]
A. M. Ghosh

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Stuart Hameroff [1987 ] .. Discovery

of Micro-tubles in Brain - Cells
Micro-tubules, which provides a supportive structure, can trigger Coherent quantum collapse during deep meditation/concentration Micro-tubules also support macroscopic quantum features like Bose Condensates {at neurons junctions} causing Orchestration

Thus ..... Orch - OR model came to exist as an acceptable model for Mathematical Cognition
A. M. Ghosh 37

Quantum Mechanics or Fields cannot fully explain Quantum Mind

Consciousness is

related to quantum

coherence

( effect of Yoga is thus proved )

Orchestrated coherence, as assumed in Orch OR Model, explains Mathematical Cognition only De-coherence is shielded by the lattice geometry of Micro-tubles { helping Orchestration } Neither QM nor QF can explain fully colour, taste or smell sensing capabilities of living brain
A. M. Ghosh 38

M. J. Donalds Views [ reported in 2002] on Consciousness

Brain Processes are fundamentally de-coherent Quantum events in brain depends on the mental structure of the Observer

it is possible to suppose that the initial state of the universe was in a vacuum state and all the remaining information which constructs our apparent individual reality is individually observed information . [ agrees

with Vedantas Maya views ]

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Western History of Consciousness Studies

Rene Descartes - about thought (1640) John Locke - about human understanding [1688] G.W Leibniz - about awareness / self-awareness & observations [ 1686-1720] Immnueal Kant - a richer structure of mental & intentional organization [1787] since then consciousness research remained as a neglected topic upto the end of 1970s

A. M. Ghosh 40

Different Aspects of Consciousness

Sentience - capable of sensing + responding Wakefulness - not in sleep state Self- awareness Desire / Motivation Qualitative Consciousness [ Qualia ] Phenomenal Consciousness Access Consciousness Ontological [ Subjective ] Consciousness

A. M. Ghosh 41

Consciousness - A Constituent Feature of Reality

Free Will

or Freedom of Choice Intrinsic Motivation Realization [ Higher Order Thoughts ] ---------------------------------------------------Vedic sages considered Minds ego as a fundamental element of the Nature Vedanta takes that ego as an inperfect projection of the Almighty Bramha

A. M. Ghosh 42

Class -- Objects Relationship

According

to Vedanta Bramha or Consciousness is an Abstract Class from which

Nature is derived as a Physical Concrete Class and Mind is derived as another Mental-Property Concrete Class

Out of these two Concrete Classes all Matters and Minds are evolving in this ever Expanding Universe
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To Conclude ...
Science deals mainly with the Nature Vedanta takes Bramha (consciousness) as the root of all causes Human beings act as a Bridge between these two forms of existence only Coherent (i.e. pure) Mind can see these two extremes to meet together as Bliss Absolute

A. M. Ghosh 44

The End
Thank

You.

Namaste !!

Comments & suggestions from the viewers are requested by the author.

A. M. Ghosh

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