Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Islam and science.

2: Some details

C. K. RajuCentre for Studies in Civilizations

New Delhihttp://ckraju.net

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Outline

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and �laws of nature�

Science and �laws�

Mathematics and eternal truth

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I We saw earlier that according to Western propaganda

I the theology of al Ghazali led to the downfall of sciencein Islam

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I We saw earlier that according to Western propaganda

I the theology of al Ghazali led to the downfall of sciencein Islam

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Key premises of science denied in Islam

I Speci�cally, according to Hoodbhoy, preachers of HPS,etc.

I Islam denies key premises needed for science

I belief in causality

I and �Laws of Nature�

I The blame for this is put on al Ghazali.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Key premises of science denied in Islam

I Speci�cally, according to Hoodbhoy, preachers of HPS,etc.

I Islam denies key premises needed for science

I belief in causality

I and �Laws of Nature�

I The blame for this is put on al Ghazali.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Key premises of science denied in Islam

I Speci�cally, according to Hoodbhoy, preachers of HPS,etc.

I Islam denies key premises needed for science

I belief in causality

I and �Laws of Nature�

I The blame for this is put on al Ghazali.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Key premises of science denied in Islam

I Speci�cally, according to Hoodbhoy, preachers of HPS,etc.

I Islam denies key premises needed for science

I belief in causality

I and �Laws of Nature�

I The blame for this is put on al Ghazali.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Key premises of science denied in Islam

I Speci�cally, according to Hoodbhoy, preachers of HPS,etc.

I Islam denies key premises needed for science

I belief in causality

I and �Laws of Nature�

I The blame for this is put on al Ghazali.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The primary theological dispute

I A key theological dispute between Islam and Christianity

I is whether God sleeps.

I According to the Koran (2:255) Allah does not feelfatigue. (He upholds the heaven and earth, so if he tiresthe cosmos will be shattered.)

I According to the Bible (Genesis), after creation of theworld, God rested on the 7th day.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The primary theological dispute

I A key theological dispute between Islam and Christianity

I is whether God sleeps.

I According to the Koran (2:255) Allah does not feelfatigue. (He upholds the heaven and earth, so if he tiresthe cosmos will be shattered.)

I According to the Bible (Genesis), after creation of theworld, God rested on the 7th day.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The primary theological dispute

I A key theological dispute between Islam and Christianity

I is whether God sleeps.

I According to the Koran (2:255) Allah does not feelfatigue. (He upholds the heaven and earth, so if he tiresthe cosmos will be shattered.)

I According to the Bible (Genesis), after creation of theworld, God rested on the 7th day.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The primary theological dispute

I A key theological dispute between Islam and Christianity

I is whether God sleeps.

I According to the Koran (2:255) Allah does not feelfatigue. (He upholds the heaven and earth, so if he tiresthe cosmos will be shattered.)

I According to the Bible (Genesis), after creation of theworld, God rested on the 7th day.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I It can also be seen as a fundamental dispute overcreation.

I The Bible describes one time creation.

I Al Ghazali thought that Allah continually creates theworld afresh.

I In Western theology, this is called the debate onprovidential intervention.

I Can God intervene in the a�airs of the world (e.g. inresponse to prayers)?

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I It can also be seen as a fundamental dispute overcreation.

I The Bible describes one time creation.

I Al Ghazali thought that Allah continually creates theworld afresh.

I In Western theology, this is called the debate onprovidential intervention.

I Can God intervene in the a�airs of the world (e.g. inresponse to prayers)?

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I It can also be seen as a fundamental dispute overcreation.

I The Bible describes one time creation.

I Al Ghazali thought that Allah continually creates theworld afresh.

I In Western theology, this is called the debate onprovidential intervention.

I Can God intervene in the a�airs of the world (e.g. inresponse to prayers)?

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I It can also be seen as a fundamental dispute overcreation.

I The Bible describes one time creation.

I Al Ghazali thought that Allah continually creates theworld afresh.

I In Western theology, this is called the debate onprovidential intervention.

I Can God intervene in the a�airs of the world (e.g. inresponse to prayers)?

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I It can also be seen as a fundamental dispute overcreation.

I The Bible describes one time creation.

I Al Ghazali thought that Allah continually creates theworld afresh.

I In Western theology, this is called the debate onprovidential intervention.

I Can God intervene in the a�airs of the world (e.g. inresponse to prayers)?

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The philosophers in Islamand causality

I Muslim philosophers (Ibn Sina, al Razi et al.) werehakims

I meaning wise men and healers.

I To cure an ailment one needs to know its cause.

I Hence, they subscribed to the belief in causality.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The philosophers in Islamand causality

I Muslim philosophers (Ibn Sina, al Razi et al.) werehakims

I meaning wise men and healers.

I To cure an ailment one needs to know its cause.

I Hence, they subscribed to the belief in causality.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The philosophers in Islamand causality

I Muslim philosophers (Ibn Sina, al Razi et al.) werehakims

I meaning wise men and healers.

I To cure an ailment one needs to know its cause.

I Hence, they subscribed to the belief in causality.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The philosophers in Islamand causality

I Muslim philosophers (Ibn Sina, al Razi et al.) werehakims

I meaning wise men and healers.

I To cure an ailment one needs to know its cause.

I Hence, they subscribed to the belief in causality.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Meaning of causality

I The word �causality� means many things

I often diametrically opposite to each other.

I One meaning is �mechanical causality� in the sense ofphysics:

I the present state of the world is an e�ect of its past andcause of its future.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Meaning of causality

I The word �causality� means many things

I often diametrically opposite to each other.

I One meaning is �mechanical causality� in the sense ofphysics:

I the present state of the world is an e�ect of its past andcause of its future.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Meaning of causality

I The word �causality� means many things

I often diametrically opposite to each other.

I One meaning is �mechanical causality� in the sense ofphysics:

I the present state of the world is an e�ect of its past andcause of its future.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Meaning of causality

I The word �causality� means many things

I often diametrically opposite to each other.

I One meaning is �mechanical causality� in the sense ofphysics:

I the present state of the world is an e�ect of its past andcause of its future.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I This gives rise to the idea of a �chain of causes�

I The present state of the world is caused by the past

I and the past is caused by its past and so on

I leading back to a single moment of creation.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I This gives rise to the idea of a �chain of causes�

I The present state of the world is caused by the past

I and the past is caused by its past and so on

I leading back to a single moment of creation.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I This gives rise to the idea of a �chain of causes�

I The present state of the world is caused by the past

I and the past is caused by its past and so on

I leading back to a single moment of creation.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I This gives rise to the idea of a �chain of causes�

I The present state of the world is caused by the past

I and the past is caused by its past and so on

I leading back to a single moment of creation.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al Ghazalion causality

I But if everything has a (mechanical) cause

I there is room for creativity, so

I there is nothing for Allah to do.

I Hence, al Ghazali denied causality (in the abovemechanical sense)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al Ghazalion causality

I But if everything has a (mechanical) cause

I there is room for creativity, so

I there is nothing for Allah to do.

I Hence, al Ghazali denied causality (in the abovemechanical sense)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al Ghazalion causality

I But if everything has a (mechanical) cause

I there is room for creativity, so

I there is nothing for Allah to do.

I Hence, al Ghazali denied causality (in the abovemechanical sense)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliTahafut al Falasifa

I Al Ghazali said Allah creates smoke with �re

I as a matter of habit

I He is not compelled to do so.

I If he wanted, he could create �re without smoke andsmoke without �re.

I Observation does not prove the contrary.

I (In Western philosophy, this last is known as �Hume's�unanswerable objection.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliTahafut al Falasifa

I Al Ghazali said Allah creates smoke with �re

I as a matter of habit

I He is not compelled to do so.

I If he wanted, he could create �re without smoke andsmoke without �re.

I Observation does not prove the contrary.

I (In Western philosophy, this last is known as �Hume's�unanswerable objection.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliTahafut al Falasifa

I Al Ghazali said Allah creates smoke with �re

I as a matter of habit

I He is not compelled to do so.

I If he wanted, he could create �re without smoke andsmoke without �re.

I Observation does not prove the contrary.

I (In Western philosophy, this last is known as �Hume's�unanswerable objection.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliTahafut al Falasifa

I Al Ghazali said Allah creates smoke with �re

I as a matter of habit

I He is not compelled to do so.

I If he wanted, he could create �re without smoke andsmoke without �re.

I Observation does not prove the contrary.

I (In Western philosophy, this last is known as �Hume's�unanswerable objection.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliTahafut al Falasifa

I Al Ghazali said Allah creates smoke with �re

I as a matter of habit

I He is not compelled to do so.

I If he wanted, he could create �re without smoke andsmoke without �re.

I Observation does not prove the contrary.

I (In Western philosophy, this last is known as �Hume's�unanswerable objection.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliTahafut al Falasifa

I Al Ghazali said Allah creates smoke with �re

I as a matter of habit

I He is not compelled to do so.

I If he wanted, he could create �re without smoke andsmoke without �re.

I Observation does not prove the contrary.

I (In Western philosophy, this last is known as �Hume's�unanswerable objection.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliHabits, not laws

I That is, al Ghazali believed in

I habits not �laws�

I (habits can be broken, laws cannot be)

I creativity (of Allah) not causal necessity.

I To better understand al Ghazali let us also look at theanti-thesis in post-Crusade church theology.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliHabits, not laws

I That is, al Ghazali believed in

I habits not �laws�

I (habits can be broken, laws cannot be)

I creativity (of Allah) not causal necessity.

I To better understand al Ghazali let us also look at theanti-thesis in post-Crusade church theology.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliHabits, not laws

I That is, al Ghazali believed in

I habits not �laws�

I (habits can be broken, laws cannot be)

I creativity (of Allah) not causal necessity.

I To better understand al Ghazali let us also look at theanti-thesis in post-Crusade church theology.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliHabits, not laws

I That is, al Ghazali believed in

I habits not �laws�

I (habits can be broken, laws cannot be)

I creativity (of Allah) not causal necessity.

I To better understand al Ghazali let us also look at theanti-thesis in post-Crusade church theology.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Al GhazaliHabits, not laws

I That is, al Ghazali believed in

I habits not �laws�

I (habits can be broken, laws cannot be)

I creativity (of Allah) not causal necessity.

I To better understand al Ghazali let us also look at theanti-thesis in post-Crusade church theology.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

CrusadesGeneral background

I Crusades aimed to convert Muslims by force, likeEuropeans.

I All Crusades after the �rst were military failures.

I Muslims did not accept the Christian scriptures.

I Hence, the church turned to �persuasion�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

CrusadesGeneral background

I Crusades aimed to convert Muslims by force, likeEuropeans.

I All Crusades after the �rst were military failures.

I Muslims did not accept the Christian scriptures.

I Hence, the church turned to �persuasion�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

CrusadesGeneral background

I Crusades aimed to convert Muslims by force, likeEuropeans.

I All Crusades after the �rst were military failures.

I Muslims did not accept the Christian scriptures.

I Hence, the church turned to �persuasion�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

CrusadesGeneral background

I Crusades aimed to convert Muslims by force, likeEuropeans.

I All Crusades after the �rst were military failures.

I Muslims did not accept the Christian scriptures.

I Hence, the church turned to �persuasion�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Christian rational theologyand Islamic rational theology

I To be more persuasive to Muslims,

I the church adapted Islamic rational theology(aql-i-kalam)

I to Christian rational theology (of Aquinas andschoolmen).

I Same dispute arose in Christian theology between �chainof causes� and divine intervention.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Christian rational theologyand Islamic rational theology

I To be more persuasive to Muslims,

I the church adapted Islamic rational theology(aql-i-kalam)

I to Christian rational theology (of Aquinas andschoolmen).

I Same dispute arose in Christian theology between �chainof causes� and divine intervention.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Christian rational theologyand Islamic rational theology

I To be more persuasive to Muslims,

I the church adapted Islamic rational theology(aql-i-kalam)

I to Christian rational theology (of Aquinas andschoolmen).

I Same dispute arose in Christian theology between �chainof causes� and divine intervention.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Christian rational theologyand Islamic rational theology

I To be more persuasive to Muslims,

I the church adapted Islamic rational theology(aql-i-kalam)

I to Christian rational theology (of Aquinas andschoolmen).

I Same dispute arose in Christian theology between �chainof causes� and divine intervention.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Thomas Aquinasand laws of nature

I Aquinas studied Al Ghazali but sided with his opponentIbn Rushd (Averroes).

I In Summa Theologica, 1st part of 2nd part, 91,1, hedeclared that God runs the world with eternal laws

I �the very Idea of the government of things in God theRuler of the universe, has the nature of a law. . . thiskind of law must be called eternal�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Thomas Aquinasand laws of nature

I Aquinas studied Al Ghazali but sided with his opponentIbn Rushd (Averroes).

I In Summa Theologica, 1st part of 2nd part, 91,1, hedeclared that God runs the world with eternal laws

I �the very Idea of the government of things in God theRuler of the universe, has the nature of a law. . . thiskind of law must be called eternal�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Thomas Aquinasand laws of nature

I Aquinas studied Al Ghazali but sided with his opponentIbn Rushd (Averroes).

I In Summa Theologica, 1st part of 2nd part, 91,1, hedeclared that God runs the world with eternal laws

I �the very Idea of the government of things in God theRuler of the universe, has the nature of a law. . . thiskind of law must be called eternal�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The Dunces

I The opposite viewpoint (belief in divine intervention)

I was championed by John Duns,

I whose followers were labelled dunsmen or dunces,

I �proof by ridicule� (a stock Western technique).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The Dunces

I The opposite viewpoint (belief in divine intervention)

I was championed by John Duns,

I whose followers were labelled dunsmen or dunces,

I �proof by ridicule� (a stock Western technique).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The Dunces

I The opposite viewpoint (belief in divine intervention)

I was championed by John Duns,

I whose followers were labelled dunsmen or dunces,

I �proof by ridicule� (a stock Western technique).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

The Dunces

I The opposite viewpoint (belief in divine intervention)

I was championed by John Duns,

I whose followers were labelled dunsmen or dunces,

I �proof by ridicule� (a stock Western technique).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Church theology of �laws of nature�Summary

I Belief in �laws of nature� is a key part of church dogma

I since the Crusades.

I This church dogma antedates the same belief in science.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Church theology of �laws of nature�Summary

I Belief in �laws of nature� is a key part of church dogma

I since the Crusades.

I This church dogma antedates the same belief in science.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Church theology of �laws of nature�Summary

I Belief in �laws of nature� is a key part of church dogma

I since the Crusades.

I This church dogma antedates the same belief in science.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Theology of �laws of nature�More details

I Di�erence between church theology and Islamic theologydue to belief in

I one-time creation vs continuous creation

I transcendence vs immanence.

I For more details of the underlying politics of this churchdogma

I see my article �Benedict's Maledicts� (just google).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Theology of �laws of nature�More details

I Di�erence between church theology and Islamic theologydue to belief in

I one-time creation vs continuous creation

I transcendence vs immanence.

I For more details of the underlying politics of this churchdogma

I see my article �Benedict's Maledicts� (just google).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Theology of �laws of nature�More details

I Di�erence between church theology and Islamic theologydue to belief in

I one-time creation vs continuous creation

I transcendence vs immanence.

I For more details of the underlying politics of this churchdogma

I see my article �Benedict's Maledicts� (just google).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Theology of �laws of nature�More details

I Di�erence between church theology and Islamic theologydue to belief in

I one-time creation vs continuous creation

I transcendence vs immanence.

I For more details of the underlying politics of this churchdogma

I see my article �Benedict's Maledicts� (just google).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Theology of �laws of nature�More details

I Di�erence between church theology and Islamic theologydue to belief in

I one-time creation vs continuous creation

I transcendence vs immanence.

I For more details of the underlying politics of this churchdogma

I see my article �Benedict's Maledicts� (just google).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I The �rst lesson in science today is about Newton's laws.

I These are formulated using ordinary di�erentialequations (ODEs).

I The solution of an ODE is determined by initial data.

I Thus, ODEs capture the �chain of causes� idea.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I The �rst lesson in science today is about Newton's laws.

I These are formulated using ordinary di�erentialequations (ODEs).

I The solution of an ODE is determined by initial data.

I Thus, ODEs capture the �chain of causes� idea.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I The �rst lesson in science today is about Newton's laws.

I These are formulated using ordinary di�erentialequations (ODEs).

I The solution of an ODE is determined by initial data.

I Thus, ODEs capture the �chain of causes� idea.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I The �rst lesson in science today is about Newton's laws.

I These are formulated using ordinary di�erentialequations (ODEs).

I The solution of an ODE is determined by initial data.

I Thus, ODEs capture the �chain of causes� idea.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Newton was in�uenced by the prevailing belief of churchrational theology

I that God rules the world with �laws of nature�

I and does not intervene directly.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Newton was in�uenced by the prevailing belief of churchrational theology

I that God rules the world with �laws of nature�

I and does not intervene directly.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Newton was in�uenced by the prevailing belief of churchrational theology

I that God rules the world with �laws of nature�

I and does not intervene directly.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's laws

I Newton (in his notes) cancelled �hypothesi� and wrote�lex� (law)

I since he thought that God had revealed his laws to him

I since he was a prophet,

I for he was born on 25 December

I (according to a wrong calendar)!

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's laws

I Newton (in his notes) cancelled �hypothesi� and wrote�lex� (law)

I since he thought that God had revealed his laws to him

I since he was a prophet,

I for he was born on 25 December

I (according to a wrong calendar)!

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's laws

I Newton (in his notes) cancelled �hypothesi� and wrote�lex� (law)

I since he thought that God had revealed his laws to him

I since he was a prophet,

I for he was born on 25 December

I (according to a wrong calendar)!

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's laws

I Newton (in his notes) cancelled �hypothesi� and wrote�lex� (law)

I since he thought that God had revealed his laws to him

I since he was a prophet,

I for he was born on 25 December

I (according to a wrong calendar)!

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's laws

I Newton (in his notes) cancelled �hypothesi� and wrote�lex� (law)

I since he thought that God had revealed his laws to him

I since he was a prophet,

I for he was born on 25 December

I (according to a wrong calendar)!

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's lawscontd

I Newton's �laws� have failed.

I As we will see, they failed because of Newton'sconceptual confusion about time

I arising from his misunderstanding of the calculus.

I He believed like Aquinas that �laws of nature� must beeternal

I hence must use �perfect� mathematics (calculus wasthen suspect).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's lawscontd

I Newton's �laws� have failed.

I As we will see, they failed because of Newton'sconceptual confusion about time

I arising from his misunderstanding of the calculus.

I He believed like Aquinas that �laws of nature� must beeternal

I hence must use �perfect� mathematics (calculus wasthen suspect).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's lawscontd

I Newton's �laws� have failed.

I As we will see, they failed because of Newton'sconceptual confusion about time

I arising from his misunderstanding of the calculus.

I He believed like Aquinas that �laws of nature� must beeternal

I hence must use �perfect� mathematics (calculus wasthen suspect).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's lawscontd

I Newton's �laws� have failed.

I As we will see, they failed because of Newton'sconceptual confusion about time

I arising from his misunderstanding of the calculus.

I He believed like Aquinas that �laws of nature� must beeternal

I hence must use �perfect� mathematics (calculus wasthen suspect).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Newton's lawscontd

I Newton's �laws� have failed.

I As we will see, they failed because of Newton'sconceptual confusion about time

I arising from his misunderstanding of the calculus.

I He believed like Aquinas that �laws of nature� must beeternal

I hence must use �perfect� mathematics (calculus wasthen suspect).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Did Newton's laws fail because he had the wrong lawswhich must be corrected?

I Or, did they fail because there are regularities, but nostrict laws of nature?

I How do we know that there are any laws of nature?

I To decide scienti�cally, we must examine our experience.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Did Newton's laws fail because he had the wrong lawswhich must be corrected?

I Or, did they fail because there are regularities, but nostrict laws of nature?

I How do we know that there are any laws of nature?

I To decide scienti�cally, we must examine our experience.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Did Newton's laws fail because he had the wrong lawswhich must be corrected?

I Or, did they fail because there are regularities, but nostrict laws of nature?

I How do we know that there are any laws of nature?

I To decide scienti�cally, we must examine our experience.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Did Newton's laws fail because he had the wrong lawswhich must be corrected?

I Or, did they fail because there are regularities, but nostrict laws of nature?

I How do we know that there are any laws of nature?

I To decide scienti�cally, we must examine our experience.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Belief in �laws of nature� contrary to experience

I We plan our everyday lives on the belief

I that (a tiny part of) the future is decided by our actions.

I That would not be possible if future were entirelydecided by laws (like Newton's laws).

I Thus, belief in �laws of nature� is immediately refuted bycommon experience.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Belief in �laws of nature� contrary to experience

I We plan our everyday lives on the belief

I that (a tiny part of) the future is decided by our actions.

I That would not be possible if future were entirelydecided by laws (like Newton's laws).

I Thus, belief in �laws of nature� is immediately refuted bycommon experience.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Belief in �laws of nature� contrary to experience

I We plan our everyday lives on the belief

I that (a tiny part of) the future is decided by our actions.

I That would not be possible if future were entirelydecided by laws (like Newton's laws).

I Thus, belief in �laws of nature� is immediately refuted bycommon experience.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Belief in �laws of nature� contrary to experience

I We plan our everyday lives on the belief

I that (a tiny part of) the future is decided by our actions.

I That would not be possible if future were entirelydecided by laws (like Newton's laws).

I Thus, belief in �laws of nature� is immediately refuted bycommon experience.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Belief in �laws of nature� unscienti�csince not refutable

I Anyone who denies the preceding argument must explainhow to refute the belief in �laws of nature�.

I In fact, such denial makes the belief in eternal �laws ofnature� not refutable,

I hence unscienti�c on Popper's criterion of refutability(falsi�ability).

I Belief in regularities (�habits�), models, OK.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Belief in �laws of nature� unscienti�csince not refutable

I Anyone who denies the preceding argument must explainhow to refute the belief in �laws of nature�.

I In fact, such denial makes the belief in eternal �laws ofnature� not refutable,

I hence unscienti�c on Popper's criterion of refutability(falsi�ability).

I Belief in regularities (�habits�), models, OK.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Belief in �laws of nature� unscienti�csince not refutable

I Anyone who denies the preceding argument must explainhow to refute the belief in �laws of nature�.

I In fact, such denial makes the belief in eternal �laws ofnature� not refutable,

I hence unscienti�c on Popper's criterion of refutability(falsi�ability).

I Belief in regularities (�habits�), models, OK.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Belief in �laws of nature� unscienti�csince not refutable

I Anyone who denies the preceding argument must explainhow to refute the belief in �laws of nature�.

I In fact, such denial makes the belief in eternal �laws ofnature� not refutable,

I hence unscienti�c on Popper's criterion of refutability(falsi�ability).

I Belief in regularities (�habits�), models, OK.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Laws of naturesummary

I The belief in laws of nature �rst arose as a churchdogma.

I This church dogma crept into science through Newton'slaws.

I Newton's belief that he had found the laws of naturefailed.

I The belief in laws of nature is contrary to everydayexperience and is hence a superstition.

I This shows how church dogma creeps into science andthen the authority of science is used to attack allnon-Christian beliefs.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Laws of naturesummary

I The belief in laws of nature �rst arose as a churchdogma.

I This church dogma crept into science through Newton'slaws.

I Newton's belief that he had found the laws of naturefailed.

I The belief in laws of nature is contrary to everydayexperience and is hence a superstition.

I This shows how church dogma creeps into science andthen the authority of science is used to attack allnon-Christian beliefs.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Laws of naturesummary

I The belief in laws of nature �rst arose as a churchdogma.

I This church dogma crept into science through Newton'slaws.

I Newton's belief that he had found the laws of naturefailed.

I The belief in laws of nature is contrary to everydayexperience and is hence a superstition.

I This shows how church dogma creeps into science andthen the authority of science is used to attack allnon-Christian beliefs.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Laws of naturesummary

I The belief in laws of nature �rst arose as a churchdogma.

I This church dogma crept into science through Newton'slaws.

I Newton's belief that he had found the laws of naturefailed.

I The belief in laws of nature is contrary to everydayexperience and is hence a superstition.

I This shows how church dogma creeps into science andthen the authority of science is used to attack allnon-Christian beliefs.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Laws of naturesummary

I The belief in laws of nature �rst arose as a churchdogma.

I This church dogma crept into science through Newton'slaws.

I Newton's belief that he had found the laws of naturefailed.

I The belief in laws of nature is contrary to everydayexperience and is hence a superstition.

I This shows how church dogma creeps into science andthen the authority of science is used to attack allnon-Christian beliefs.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Stephen Hawking's creationismReligious propaganda through �advanced� science

I Another example is Stephen Hawking's creationismusing the mathematical concept of singularity.

I A singularity (not �Big bang�) is a true moment ofcreation.

I What exactly is a singularity?

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Stephen Hawking's creationismReligious propaganda through �advanced� science

I Another example is Stephen Hawking's creationismusing the mathematical concept of singularity.

I A singularity (not �Big bang�) is a true moment ofcreation.

I What exactly is a singularity?

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Stephen Hawking's creationismReligious propaganda through �advanced� science

I Another example is Stephen Hawking's creationismusing the mathematical concept of singularity.

I A singularity (not �Big bang�) is a true moment ofcreation.

I What exactly is a singularity?

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Hawking: characterization of singularity

�the moment of creation where all the laws of physics breakdown�

I This agrees with church dogma.

I Concordance with Augustine's theology explained for thelayperson in my book The Eleven Pictures of Time,(Sage, 2003)

I Consequence?

Tipler

Hawking singularities make �Judaeo-Christian theology a partof physics.�

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Hawking: characterization of singularity

�the moment of creation where all the laws of physics breakdown�

I This agrees with church dogma.

I Concordance with Augustine's theology explained for thelayperson in my book The Eleven Pictures of Time,(Sage, 2003)

I Consequence?

Tipler

Hawking singularities make �Judaeo-Christian theology a partof physics.�

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Hawking: characterization of singularity

�the moment of creation where all the laws of physics breakdown�

I This agrees with church dogma.

I Concordance with Augustine's theology explained for thelayperson in my book The Eleven Pictures of Time,(Sage, 2003)

I Consequence?

Tipler

Hawking singularities make �Judaeo-Christian theology a partof physics.�

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Hawking: characterization of singularity

�the moment of creation where all the laws of physics breakdown�

I This agrees with church dogma.

I Concordance with Augustine's theology explained for thelayperson in my book The Eleven Pictures of Time,(Sage, 2003)

I Consequence?

Tipler

Hawking singularities make �Judaeo-Christian theology a partof physics.�

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Hawking: characterization of singularity

�the moment of creation where all the laws of physics breakdown�

I This agrees with church dogma.

I Concordance with Augustine's theology explained for thelayperson in my book The Eleven Pictures of Time,(Sage, 2003)

I Consequence?

Tipler

Hawking singularities make �Judaeo-Christian theology a partof physics.�

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Growing sense of angertargeted at India’s elites

comment 12

How Indira changed thecharacter of the Cong

perspective 13

One-handed economistbattles ‘zombies’

books 14

My reflections in Anish Kapoor

feet up 16

Mumbai, January 16, 2011

A day in the life of thosewho live without water

mosaic 11

Yu can cook!

food 10

Stephen Hawking’s new book, TheGrand Design: New Answers To TheUltimate Questions of Life, has amisleading subtitle. It aims to an-swer the ultimate questions not oflife, but of theology. Those concern

creation and God.Science, too, has a big bang theory of the

origin of the cosmos. How does that comparewith the religious account of creation givenby (Christian) theology?

This question has preoccupied Hawkingsince his first book in 1973. (That was not theBrief History Of Time, but a book on gener-al relativity called The Large-Scale StructureOf Space-Time.) The concluding sentence ofthat book spoke of a “moment of creation”(called a “singularity”) when the laws ofphysics break down (see box). Hawkingclaimed to have proved that the “laws ofphysics” imply creation.

Does the big bang (a dense state of the cos-mos) coincide with creation (a true beginningof time)? People commonly confound the two;that includes scientists—the website of the

Large Hadronic Collider also speaks of cre-ation. But a dense state of the cosmos

need not be a moment of creation. Inthe Hindu view of a quasi-recurrent

cosmos, the cosmos periodicallygoes through a dense egg state (hi-

ranyagarbha). The same is trueof general relativity. If the

cosmos rotates, for example, the big bangmight not be a beginning of time, but only theother side of a big crunch. So, while the ob-served cosmic microwave (millimeter) back-ground might be evidence for a past densestate of the cosmos, it is no evidence for cre-ation or a beginning of time. The wholepoint of Hawking’s singularity theory wasto try to settle this doubt whether the bigbang did amount to creation. Strangely, thisbook never comes to grips with the commonconfusion between the big bang and instan-taneous creation.

Creation and the BibleNow instantaneous creation, a few billionyears ago, is not exactly the Bible story of cre-ation in 7 days, some 6,000 years ago. But Chris-tian theologians explained long ago how thetwo are compatible! Hawking’s earlier viewcoincided with those of Thomas Aquinas, akey 13th century church theologian, who stat-ed in his Summa Theologica that after creat-ing the world, God ruled it with eternal laws.

Theology is about power, not the Bible.This was renamed “soft power” by Hunting-ton, a modern strategist, who recognised itsrole in the US agenda for global hegemony.

The politics of “science and creation” re-lates to the civilisational clash between Chris-tianity and Islam. Creation at one instant inthe past is opposed to the Islamic view of con-tinuous creation, or the Buddhist view of non-creation, or even the Hindu view of a quasi-recurrent and long-lived cosmos. So, the sub-tle propaganda point in Hawking’s work hasall along been that science is opposed to allnon-Christian views of creation, which arehence false. This influences large numbers ofpeople who implicitly believe in science, es-pecially if they don’t understand it.

FJ Tipler even argued that singularity the-ory shows that “Judeo-Christian theology isa part of physics”. The book under reviewobliquely refers to that argument through theHollywood film, The Matrix, which combinesTipler’s idea of humans as characters in acomputer-generated virtual reality with thestory of Christ as saviour.

The weaknesses of singularity theory werepointed out by various people including CJSClarke and this reviewer. The theory had noexperimental consequence, and hence wasnot science. A singularity is merely a mathe-matical infinity which can be easily elimi-nated by changing a mathematical definition.

In a public debate with this reviewer, RogerPenrose, the originator of singularity theory,could not defend the physical interpretationof a singularity (it might be just a commonshock wave, as this reviewer argued). Theproofs of Hawking’s singularity theoremsused biased assumptions about time, calledthe “chronology condition” (that time is not‘cyclic’) which are central to the revisedChristian theological dogma from the 4th cen-tury. Hawking justified those assumptions us-ing arguments very similar to Augustine’s(a 4th century theologian). This was ex-plained in this reviewer’s book The ElevenPictures of Time. In an indirect acknowledg-ment of this critique, Hawking’s latest bookhas only a single passing line on singularitytheory: “It seems the laws of evolution of theuniverse may break down at the big bang”.

The Brief History Of Time pushed that cre-ationist idea, and gave Hawking the image ofa super-scientist, among laypersons. But theweakness of singularity theory, combinedwith its proximity to Christian theology, dam-aged Hawking’s image among scientists. Theinspired (if devious) marketing line for thepresent book is that, according to Hawking,God is not needed for creation. So, what is thenew answer to the mystery of creation? Thisis never explained in the book, surely by de-sign. That subtlety has also been missed byreviewers, so it needs to be made explicit.

Hawking’s earlier answer (like Aquinas’theology) had a defect. If the “laws ofphysics” break down at the moment of cre-ation, then how can they be eternal? So thenew answer given (implicitly) by Hawking isthat God created only the laws of physics,which are “eternal” in the sense of being out-side time. The cosmos was created accord-ing to these laws, and hence does not (direct-ly) require God for its creation. That is, Hawk-ing, the scientist, can speak comfortably onlyof the “laws of physics”, while the Christiantheologian can say those “laws” were createdby God just as they had been saying all along.

Patchwork models, not realityHow do we know that there are “laws ofphysics”, or that they do not change capri-ciously with the epoch? Or that they existwhen/where the cosmos does not? Hawkingappeals to “model-dependent realism”: onlymodels matter, there is no reality. Even a com-prehensive model is not needed, a patchworkwill do. Hawking advocates this “philosophy”since he needs to patch general relativity(which models the cosmos at large scales)with quantum field theory (which models thecosmos at very small scales). Though Hawk-ing suggests that the two can be patched to-gether, the lay reader is never warned that noone has quite succeeded in doing that so far.

How did the “laws of physics” create thecosmos? The authors use Feynman’s idea ofalternative past histories without pointingout its key lacuna. (Feynman’s idea was thatall that could have happened did happen.)That formulation can make predictions, likeastrology, but those predictions cannot be re-futed by experiment. Science must berefutable, but Hawking has changed that tomean that it must be reputable.

Why did God create the world he did? Thenew answer (using alternative past histories)is that he just haphazardly created all possi-ble worlds — billions of them — of which weare aware of only one. The final leap in thebook is into M-theory, which supposedly ex-plains everything, but is never explained inthe book. Instead, the book just concludes bypassing it off as the unified theory Einsteinwas looking for. The authors apparently thinkthis is a book in the Complete Idiot’s series.

Hawking’s claim—that he has no need forGod in his system—is not original: a similarclaim was made long ago, in a similar context,by Laplace. Not only al Ghazali, but also IsaacNewton thought that God intervenes in thecosmos from time to time. The universe maybe like a giant piece of clockwork, but it wasnecessary to wind up the clock (or rechargethe batteries) occasionally. Newton neededGod’s intervention since he was unable toprove the stability of the planetary system.Laplace did so, hence his boast that he had noneed for God in his system.

So what does that mean for the layperson?This iron “rule of law” not only eliminatesdivine intervention, it also eliminates anycreative human intervention, to bring abouta particular future. This not only makes lifeutterly pointless, it cuts out the basis of thebelief in science. In contrast, the Islamic be-lief in continuous creation allows human cre-ativity, like the Buddhist belief in conditionedcoorigination (paticca samuppada) or theHindu belief in creative action (karma).Hawking’s answer to this is very very oldhat—something called Conway’s “Game ofLife” which shows how complexity may giverise to the illusion of creativity. The authorsneglect the whole host of difficulties withthat, perhaps because they believe “philoso-phy is dead”. But what they give in its placeis half-baked science to support full-blowntheology which suits the pursuit of worldpower by one superpower. themag@dnaindia.net

Hawking: Theology in a scientific bottle

The Christianpropaganda inHawking’s workWhat do the Pope and Stephen Hawking havein common? Both propagate a Christian viewof how the universe came into being: Whilethe Pope is direct, seeing the hand of God inthe Big Bang, Hawking does it more subtly.His popular books provide a scientific veneerto Christian theology, while projecting non-Christian views of creation asunscientific, reveals Professor CK Raju, who is currently with the School ofMathematical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Politics of creationBoth science and religion havestories about cosmic creation.The Christian belief is that Godcreated the world at a certainpoint of time. This appears to tiein with the Big Bang theory. Butin fact, extrapolating backwardsfrom an expanding universe onlytells us there was a dense stateof the cosmos, and not that therewas a moment of instantaneouscreation or a beginning of time.

To get around this, Hawkingearlier applied the notion of‘singularity’ to argue that the BigBang did go back to a moment ofcreation. A singularity iscommonly believed to be amathematical point of infinitedensity into which all matterflowed. But Hawking believedthat the laws of physics mustbreak down at a singularity.

So here’s the Catch-22: you cancook up a moment of creationwith the singularity theory, but inthat case, the laws of physics(such as the law of gravitation)are not eternal and won’t applythere. Hawking’s new bookmakes use of some dubiousscience to imply that God madeonly the laws of physics, whichthen created the cosmos.(Hence, the blurb: “God notneeded for creation”.) InHawking’s new scheme of things,the laws of physics are ‘eternal’in the sense of being outsidetime, which begins only post-creation. So, Hawking, thescientist, can speak comfortablyonly of the “laws of physics”,while the Christian theologiancan say those “laws” werecreated by God just as they hadbeen saying all along.

More importantly, these views ofcreation are contrary to theHindu view of a quasi-recurrentcosmos, the Islamic view ofcontinuous creation, and theBuddhist view of non-creation.So, Hawking’s theories have

been used to argue that scienceagrees with Christianity but iscontrary to other religions. Giventhat people tend to believeauthoritative scientists withoutunderstanding what they say,this is powerful propaganda inthe ongoing clash of civilizations.

Half-baked scienceHawking’s new theory is that thecosmos was spontaneouslycreated by the laws of physics.But how do we know there areeternal laws of physics? How dowe know the “laws” do notchange with every epoch?

Hawking gets around suchquestions by resorting to “model-dependent realism”. He alsoadopts physicist RichardFeynman’s idea that all thatcould have happened didhappen. He uses this idea tomarry the physics of the large(gravitation) to the physics of thesmall (quantum theory). But thisis a ‘shotgun wedding’ becausethere is no accepted way tomatch the two as yet. Also, auniverse ruled entirely by lawsuggests that human creativityor “free will” is an illusion; this isfatal to the philosophy ofscience, and makes lifemeaningless.

God’s hand in Big BangIn a sermon last week, PopeBenedict said God’s mind wasbehind the Big Bang, andChristians should reject the ideathat the universe came intobeing by accident.“Contemplating it, we are invitedto read something profound intoit: the wisdom of the creator.”

Benedict and his predecessorJohn Paul have been trying toshed the Roman CatholicChurch’s image of being anti-science, a label that stuck whenit condemned Galileo for sayingthat the earth revolves aroundthe sun, challenging the Bible.

The Grand Design:New Answers To The

Ultimate QuestionsOf Life

Stephen Hawkingand Leonard

MlodinowBantam Books

199 pagesRs599

COVERSTORY In a nutshell

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Mathematics and eternal truth

I Let us now turn to the matter of �eternal� in �eternallaws of nature�. The focus is now of eternal.

I It was believed in the West that �the laws of nature� arewritten in the language of mathematics

I just because the West believed that mathematicscontains eternal truths

I and is �perfect� (without errors).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Mathematics and eternal truth

I Let us now turn to the matter of �eternal� in �eternallaws of nature�. The focus is now of eternal.

I It was believed in the West that �the laws of nature� arewritten in the language of mathematics

I just because the West believed that mathematicscontains eternal truths

I and is �perfect� (without errors).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Mathematics and eternal truth

I Let us now turn to the matter of �eternal� in �eternallaws of nature�. The focus is now of eternal.

I It was believed in the West that �the laws of nature� arewritten in the language of mathematics

I just because the West believed that mathematicscontains eternal truths

I and is �perfect� (without errors).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Mathematics and eternal truth

I Let us now turn to the matter of �eternal� in �eternallaws of nature�. The focus is now of eternal.

I It was believed in the West that �the laws of nature� arewritten in the language of mathematics

I just because the West believed that mathematicscontains eternal truths

I and is �perfect� (without errors).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Belief that mathematics contains eternal truths is NOTa universal belief.

I Indian ±ulba sutra explicitly speaks of mathematicalknowledge (value of π) as non-eternal (sa anitya).

I and imperfect (sa vi±es.a = with error).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Belief that mathematics contains eternal truths is NOTa universal belief.

I Indian ±ulba sutra explicitly speaks of mathematicalknowledge (value of π) as non-eternal (sa anitya).

I and imperfect (sa vi±es.a = with error).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Belief that mathematics contains eternal truths is NOTa universal belief.

I Indian ±ulba sutra explicitly speaks of mathematicalknowledge (value of π) as non-eternal (sa anitya).

I and imperfect (sa vi±es.a = with error).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I This belief (in math as eternal truth) began life as areligious belief.

I The very word mathematics derives from mathesis

I which means arousing the soul.

I to make it remember its past lives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I This belief (in math as eternal truth) began life as areligious belief.

I The very word mathematics derives from mathesis

I which means arousing the soul.

I to make it remember its past lives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I This belief (in math as eternal truth) began life as areligious belief.

I The very word mathematics derives from mathesis

I which means arousing the soul.

I to make it remember its past lives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I This belief (in math as eternal truth) began life as areligious belief.

I The very word mathematics derives from mathesis

I which means arousing the soul.

I to make it remember its past lives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Mathesis

I The West related math to religious belief, right sincePlato

I (who borrowed it from black Egypt).

I �Mathematics� derives from �mathesis� which meanslearning.

I According to Plato, learning was achieved by arousingthe soul to make it recollect its past lives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Mathesis

I The West related math to religious belief, right sincePlato

I (who borrowed it from black Egypt).

I �Mathematics� derives from �mathesis� which meanslearning.

I According to Plato, learning was achieved by arousingthe soul to make it recollect its past lives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Mathesis

I The West related math to religious belief, right sincePlato

I (who borrowed it from black Egypt).

I �Mathematics� derives from �mathesis� which meanslearning.

I According to Plato, learning was achieved by arousingthe soul to make it recollect its past lives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Mathesis

I The West related math to religious belief, right sincePlato

I (who borrowed it from black Egypt).

I �Mathematics� derives from �mathesis� which meanslearning.

I According to Plato, learning was achieved by arousingthe soul to make it recollect its past lives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Socrates (in Plato's Meno) claims that learning takesplace by arousing the soul:

I �all learning is recollection�

I He demonstrates this by eliciting a slave boy's innateknowledge of mathematics.

I Socrates then claimed he had proved the existence ofthe soul.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Socrates (in Plato's Meno) claims that learning takesplace by arousing the soul:

I �all learning is recollection�

I He demonstrates this by eliciting a slave boy's innateknowledge of mathematics.

I Socrates then claimed he had proved the existence ofthe soul.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Socrates (in Plato's Meno) claims that learning takesplace by arousing the soul:

I �all learning is recollection�

I He demonstrates this by eliciting a slave boy's innateknowledge of mathematics.

I Socrates then claimed he had proved the existence ofthe soul.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Socrates (in Plato's Meno) claims that learning takesplace by arousing the soul:

I �all learning is recollection�

I He demonstrates this by eliciting a slave boy's innateknowledge of mathematics.

I Socrates then claimed he had proved the existence ofthe soul.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Proclus explains that mathematics contains eternaltruths

I hence is best suited to arouse the eternal soul

I on the principle of sympathetic magic

I that �like arouses like�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Proclus explains that mathematics contains eternaltruths

I hence is best suited to arouse the eternal soul

I on the principle of sympathetic magic

I that �like arouses like�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Proclus explains that mathematics contains eternaltruths

I hence is best suited to arouse the eternal soul

I on the principle of sympathetic magic

I that �like arouses like�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Proclus explains that mathematics contains eternaltruths

I hence is best suited to arouse the eternal soul

I on the principle of sympathetic magic

I that �like arouses like�.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Reinterpretation of math

I That �pagan� (and early Christian) notion of soul cursedby the post-Nicene church in the 6th c.

I when mathematics and philosophy banned from theRoman empire.

I Accepted back during the Crusades to persuade Muslimswho accepted reason (Islamic rational theology oraql-i-kalam).

I At that time church theology was again changed(Christian rational theology), and math wasreinterpreted as a doctrine of persuasive metaphysicalproof to �t the church agenda of persuasion.

I (That was when �Euclid� was invented to claimownership of reason.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Reinterpretation of math

I That �pagan� (and early Christian) notion of soul cursedby the post-Nicene church in the 6th c.

I when mathematics and philosophy banned from theRoman empire.

I Accepted back during the Crusades to persuade Muslimswho accepted reason (Islamic rational theology oraql-i-kalam).

I At that time church theology was again changed(Christian rational theology), and math wasreinterpreted as a doctrine of persuasive metaphysicalproof to �t the church agenda of persuasion.

I (That was when �Euclid� was invented to claimownership of reason.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Reinterpretation of math

I That �pagan� (and early Christian) notion of soul cursedby the post-Nicene church in the 6th c.

I when mathematics and philosophy banned from theRoman empire.

I Accepted back during the Crusades to persuade Muslimswho accepted reason (Islamic rational theology oraql-i-kalam).

I At that time church theology was again changed(Christian rational theology), and math wasreinterpreted as a doctrine of persuasive metaphysicalproof to �t the church agenda of persuasion.

I (That was when �Euclid� was invented to claimownership of reason.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Reinterpretation of math

I That �pagan� (and early Christian) notion of soul cursedby the post-Nicene church in the 6th c.

I when mathematics and philosophy banned from theRoman empire.

I Accepted back during the Crusades to persuade Muslimswho accepted reason (Islamic rational theology oraql-i-kalam).

I At that time church theology was again changed(Christian rational theology), and math wasreinterpreted as a doctrine of persuasive metaphysicalproof to �t the church agenda of persuasion.

I (That was when �Euclid� was invented to claimownership of reason.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Reinterpretation of math

I That �pagan� (and early Christian) notion of soul cursedby the post-Nicene church in the 6th c.

I when mathematics and philosophy banned from theRoman empire.

I Accepted back during the Crusades to persuade Muslimswho accepted reason (Islamic rational theology oraql-i-kalam).

I At that time church theology was again changed(Christian rational theology), and math wasreinterpreted as a doctrine of persuasive metaphysicalproof to �t the church agenda of persuasion.

I (That was when �Euclid� was invented to claimownership of reason.)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Eternal truths to perfection

I The doctrine that math is eternal truth should have lostrelevance after the changed notion of soul

I but it persisted in post-Crusade theology on the beliefthat logic binds God (�God cannot create an illogicalworld�), hence mathematical/logical truths are eternaltruths.

I This led to the belief that mathematics is perfect andcannot neglect the smallest error (e.g. Berkeley).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Eternal truths to perfection

I The doctrine that math is eternal truth should have lostrelevance after the changed notion of soul

I but it persisted in post-Crusade theology on the beliefthat logic binds God (�God cannot create an illogicalworld�), hence mathematical/logical truths are eternaltruths.

I This led to the belief that mathematics is perfect andcannot neglect the smallest error (e.g. Berkeley).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Eternal truths to perfection

I The doctrine that math is eternal truth should have lostrelevance after the changed notion of soul

I but it persisted in post-Crusade theology on the beliefthat logic binds God (�God cannot create an illogicalworld�), hence mathematical/logical truths are eternaltruths.

I This led to the belief that mathematics is perfect andcannot neglect the smallest error (e.g. Berkeley).

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Perfectly summing an in�nite series

I The belief in perfection led to problems with summingthe in�nite series of the Indian calculus.

I A �nite approximation (e.g. π = 3.1415) good enoughfor practical purposes was regarded as not mathematics,since not �perfect�.

I However, physically summing an in�nite series wouldtake an in�nity of time.

I (Descartes' folly): �the ratios of curved and straightlines are beyond the capacity of the human mind.�

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Perfectly summing an in�nite series

I The belief in perfection led to problems with summingthe in�nite series of the Indian calculus.

I A �nite approximation (e.g. π = 3.1415) good enoughfor practical purposes was regarded as not mathematics,since not �perfect�.

I However, physically summing an in�nite series wouldtake an in�nity of time.

I (Descartes' folly): �the ratios of curved and straightlines are beyond the capacity of the human mind.�

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Perfectly summing an in�nite series

I The belief in perfection led to problems with summingthe in�nite series of the Indian calculus.

I A �nite approximation (e.g. π = 3.1415) good enoughfor practical purposes was regarded as not mathematics,since not �perfect�.

I However, physically summing an in�nite series wouldtake an in�nity of time.

I (Descartes' folly): �the ratios of curved and straightlines are beyond the capacity of the human mind.�

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Perfectly summing an in�nite series

I The belief in perfection led to problems with summingthe in�nite series of the Indian calculus.

I A �nite approximation (e.g. π = 3.1415) good enoughfor practical purposes was regarded as not mathematics,since not �perfect�.

I However, physically summing an in�nite series wouldtake an in�nity of time.

I (Descartes' folly): �the ratios of curved and straightlines are beyond the capacity of the human mind.�

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Metaphysics of math

I Hence, the West came to the conclusion that in�niteseries can be summed in a perfect way metaphysically.

I Newton's error: To make sense of d

dtNewton made time

metaphysical (to make it ��ow� evenly, whatever thatmeans).

I His physics failed for that reason.

I Today we teach formal real numbers, or the continuum,never used in any practical application.

I E.g. computers use �oating point numbers.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Metaphysics of math

I Hence, the West came to the conclusion that in�niteseries can be summed in a perfect way metaphysically.

I Newton's error: To make sense of d

dtNewton made time

metaphysical (to make it ��ow� evenly, whatever thatmeans).

I His physics failed for that reason.

I Today we teach formal real numbers, or the continuum,never used in any practical application.

I E.g. computers use �oating point numbers.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Metaphysics of math

I Hence, the West came to the conclusion that in�niteseries can be summed in a perfect way metaphysically.

I Newton's error: To make sense of d

dtNewton made time

metaphysical (to make it ��ow� evenly, whatever thatmeans).

I His physics failed for that reason.

I Today we teach formal real numbers, or the continuum,never used in any practical application.

I E.g. computers use �oating point numbers.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Metaphysics of math

I Hence, the West came to the conclusion that in�niteseries can be summed in a perfect way metaphysically.

I Newton's error: To make sense of d

dtNewton made time

metaphysical (to make it ��ow� evenly, whatever thatmeans).

I His physics failed for that reason.

I Today we teach formal real numbers, or the continuum,never used in any practical application.

I E.g. computers use �oating point numbers.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Metaphysics of math

I Hence, the West came to the conclusion that in�niteseries can be summed in a perfect way metaphysically.

I Newton's error: To make sense of d

dtNewton made time

metaphysical (to make it ��ow� evenly, whatever thatmeans).

I His physics failed for that reason.

I Today we teach formal real numbers, or the continuum,never used in any practical application.

I E.g. computers use �oating point numbers.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Contrary to all non-Christian beliefs

I There are even deeper problems.

I Western metaphysics of math contrary to all Indianreligions

I since it rejects empirical proof as inferior

I whereas all schools of Indian thought accept empiricalproof, as the �rst means of proof

I as does Islam.

I Thus, simply by accepting formal math, you rejectIslam, whether or not you understand it.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Contrary to all non-Christian beliefs

I There are even deeper problems.

I Western metaphysics of math contrary to all Indianreligions

I since it rejects empirical proof as inferior

I whereas all schools of Indian thought accept empiricalproof, as the �rst means of proof

I as does Islam.

I Thus, simply by accepting formal math, you rejectIslam, whether or not you understand it.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Contrary to all non-Christian beliefs

I There are even deeper problems.

I Western metaphysics of math contrary to all Indianreligions

I since it rejects empirical proof as inferior

I whereas all schools of Indian thought accept empiricalproof, as the �rst means of proof

I as does Islam.

I Thus, simply by accepting formal math, you rejectIslam, whether or not you understand it.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Contrary to all non-Christian beliefs

I There are even deeper problems.

I Western metaphysics of math contrary to all Indianreligions

I since it rejects empirical proof as inferior

I whereas all schools of Indian thought accept empiricalproof, as the �rst means of proof

I as does Islam.

I Thus, simply by accepting formal math, you rejectIslam, whether or not you understand it.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Contrary to all non-Christian beliefs

I There are even deeper problems.

I Western metaphysics of math contrary to all Indianreligions

I since it rejects empirical proof as inferior

I whereas all schools of Indian thought accept empiricalproof, as the �rst means of proof

I as does Islam.

I Thus, simply by accepting formal math, you rejectIslam, whether or not you understand it.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Contrary to all non-Christian beliefs

I There are even deeper problems.

I Western metaphysics of math contrary to all Indianreligions

I since it rejects empirical proof as inferior

I whereas all schools of Indian thought accept empiricalproof, as the �rst means of proof

I as does Islam.

I Thus, simply by accepting formal math, you rejectIslam, whether or not you understand it.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Reason not universal

I Reason based on logic.

I Post-Crusade church theology blindly assumed that logicis universal since it binds even God

I (hence believed logical proof stronger than empiricalproof)

I However, logic not culturally unique. Buddhist logic ofcatus.kot. i, and Jain logic of syadavada not 2-valued oreven truth-functional.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Reason not universal

I Reason based on logic.

I Post-Crusade church theology blindly assumed that logicis universal since it binds even God

I (hence believed logical proof stronger than empiricalproof)

I However, logic not culturally unique. Buddhist logic ofcatus.kot. i, and Jain logic of syadavada not 2-valued oreven truth-functional.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Reason not universal

I Reason based on logic.

I Post-Crusade church theology blindly assumed that logicis universal since it binds even God

I (hence believed logical proof stronger than empiricalproof)

I However, logic not culturally unique. Buddhist logic ofcatus.kot. i, and Jain logic of syadavada not 2-valued oreven truth-functional.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Reason not universal

I Reason based on logic.

I Post-Crusade church theology blindly assumed that logicis universal since it binds even God

I (hence believed logical proof stronger than empiricalproof)

I However, logic not culturally unique. Buddhist logic ofcatus.kot. i, and Jain logic of syadavada not 2-valued oreven truth-functional.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Metaphysics of math

I For more details, see Cultural Foundations of

Mathematics

I Euclid and Jesus: how and why the church changed

mathematics and Christianity across two religious wars

I My article in The Hindu and related supporting materialposted on my blog http://ckraju.net/blog and

I at http://ckraju.net/papers.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Metaphysics of math

I For more details, see Cultural Foundations of

Mathematics

I Euclid and Jesus: how and why the church changed

mathematics and Christianity across two religious wars

I My article in The Hindu and related supporting materialposted on my blog http://ckraju.net/blog and

I at http://ckraju.net/papers.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Metaphysics of math

I For more details, see Cultural Foundations of

Mathematics

I Euclid and Jesus: how and why the church changed

mathematics and Christianity across two religious wars

I My article in The Hindu and related supporting materialposted on my blog http://ckraju.net/blog and

I at http://ckraju.net/papers.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Metaphysics of math

I For more details, see Cultural Foundations of

Mathematics

I Euclid and Jesus: how and why the church changed

mathematics and Christianity across two religious wars

I My article in The Hindu and related supporting materialposted on my blog http://ckraju.net/blog and

I at http://ckraju.net/papers.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Let me conclude with a simple example.

I What di�erence does it make to 2+2=4?

I Most people understand that empirically.

I Declared incorrect on Western math: empiricallyknowledge is �imperfect knowledge�, hence not math.

I The term ��sh� is not exactly de�ned.

I So, 2 big �sh and 2 small �sh may �equal� 3 big �shesor 5 small �shes.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Let me conclude with a simple example.

I What di�erence does it make to 2+2=4?

I Most people understand that empirically.

I Declared incorrect on Western math: empiricallyknowledge is �imperfect knowledge�, hence not math.

I The term ��sh� is not exactly de�ned.

I So, 2 big �sh and 2 small �sh may �equal� 3 big �shesor 5 small �shes.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Let me conclude with a simple example.

I What di�erence does it make to 2+2=4?

I Most people understand that empirically.

I Declared incorrect on Western math: empiricallyknowledge is �imperfect knowledge�, hence not math.

I The term ��sh� is not exactly de�ned.

I So, 2 big �sh and 2 small �sh may �equal� 3 big �shesor 5 small �shes.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Let me conclude with a simple example.

I What di�erence does it make to 2+2=4?

I Most people understand that empirically.

I Declared incorrect on Western math: empiricallyknowledge is �imperfect knowledge�, hence not math.

I The term ��sh� is not exactly de�ned.

I So, 2 big �sh and 2 small �sh may �equal� 3 big �shesor 5 small �shes.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Let me conclude with a simple example.

I What di�erence does it make to 2+2=4?

I Most people understand that empirically.

I Declared incorrect on Western math: empiricallyknowledge is �imperfect knowledge�, hence not math.

I The term ��sh� is not exactly de�ned.

I So, 2 big �sh and 2 small �sh may �equal� 3 big �shesor 5 small �shes.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Let me conclude with a simple example.

I What di�erence does it make to 2+2=4?

I Most people understand that empirically.

I Declared incorrect on Western math: empiricallyknowledge is �imperfect knowledge�, hence not math.

I The term ��sh� is not exactly de�ned.

I So, 2 big �sh and 2 small �sh may �equal� 3 big �shesor 5 small �shes.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I On Western/formal math, 2+2=4 must be donenon-empirically (and 2+2 may equal 5, just as 1+1 maybe 0.)

I To de�ne 2 non-empirically, we need something likePeano's axioms.

I Those axioms bring in the metaphysics of in�nity by thebackdoor.

I The quickest way to see it is that computers canNEVER do Peano arithmetic, for computers cannothandle in�nity.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I On Western/formal math, 2+2=4 must be donenon-empirically (and 2+2 may equal 5, just as 1+1 maybe 0.)

I To de�ne 2 non-empirically, we need something likePeano's axioms.

I Those axioms bring in the metaphysics of in�nity by thebackdoor.

I The quickest way to see it is that computers canNEVER do Peano arithmetic, for computers cannothandle in�nity.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I On Western/formal math, 2+2=4 must be donenon-empirically (and 2+2 may equal 5, just as 1+1 maybe 0.)

I To de�ne 2 non-empirically, we need something likePeano's axioms.

I Those axioms bring in the metaphysics of in�nity by thebackdoor.

I The quickest way to see it is that computers canNEVER do Peano arithmetic, for computers cannothandle in�nity.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I On Western/formal math, 2+2=4 must be donenon-empirically (and 2+2 may equal 5, just as 1+1 maybe 0.)

I To de�ne 2 non-empirically, we need something likePeano's axioms.

I Those axioms bring in the metaphysics of in�nity by thebackdoor.

I The quickest way to see it is that computers canNEVER do Peano arithmetic, for computers cannothandle in�nity.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I That Western metaphysics of in�nity is allied to churchnotion of eternity.

I First creationist con�ict was with Proclus over thenotion of eternity.

I That metaphysics never needed for any practicalpurpose.

I Why continue to use it?

I (Because the highest truth for the colonised is to blindlyimitate the West!)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I That Western metaphysics of in�nity is allied to churchnotion of eternity.

I First creationist con�ict was with Proclus over thenotion of eternity.

I That metaphysics never needed for any practicalpurpose.

I Why continue to use it?

I (Because the highest truth for the colonised is to blindlyimitate the West!)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I That Western metaphysics of in�nity is allied to churchnotion of eternity.

I First creationist con�ict was with Proclus over thenotion of eternity.

I That metaphysics never needed for any practicalpurpose.

I Why continue to use it?

I (Because the highest truth for the colonised is to blindlyimitate the West!)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I That Western metaphysics of in�nity is allied to churchnotion of eternity.

I First creationist con�ict was with Proclus over thenotion of eternity.

I That metaphysics never needed for any practicalpurpose.

I Why continue to use it?

I (Because the highest truth for the colonised is to blindlyimitate the West!)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I That Western metaphysics of in�nity is allied to churchnotion of eternity.

I First creationist con�ict was with Proclus over thenotion of eternity.

I That metaphysics never needed for any practicalpurpose.

I Why continue to use it?

I (Because the highest truth for the colonised is to blindlyimitate the West!)

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Anyway, all this cannot be explained in one day.

I Especially if you don't already have a background inmath and science.

I If it was so easy, so many people wouldn't have beenfooled for two centuries.

I The Western system ensures you have no time to think,not even time to listen.

I However, let us proceed to outline the alternatives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Anyway, all this cannot be explained in one day.

I Especially if you don't already have a background inmath and science.

I If it was so easy, so many people wouldn't have beenfooled for two centuries.

I The Western system ensures you have no time to think,not even time to listen.

I However, let us proceed to outline the alternatives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Anyway, all this cannot be explained in one day.

I Especially if you don't already have a background inmath and science.

I If it was so easy, so many people wouldn't have beenfooled for two centuries.

I The Western system ensures you have no time to think,not even time to listen.

I However, let us proceed to outline the alternatives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Anyway, all this cannot be explained in one day.

I Especially if you don't already have a background inmath and science.

I If it was so easy, so many people wouldn't have beenfooled for two centuries.

I The Western system ensures you have no time to think,not even time to listen.

I However, let us proceed to outline the alternatives.

Islam and

science.

2: Some details

C. K. Raju

Centre for

Studies in

Civilizations

New Delhi

http:

//ckraju.net

Recap

�Laws� of nature

Crusades and

�laws of nature�

Science and

�laws�

Mathematics and

eternal truth

I Anyway, all this cannot be explained in one day.

I Especially if you don't already have a background inmath and science.

I If it was so easy, so many people wouldn't have beenfooled for two centuries.

I The Western system ensures you have no time to think,not even time to listen.

I However, let us proceed to outline the alternatives.