Physics Final Paper

Scientific discovery of a mysterious truth

A brief discussion of western and eastern world-views 

This paper briefly compares western and eastern world-views focusing on two related aspects of interconnectiveness and indescribability.  It first outlines both world-views and then relates them to modern scientific discoveries and finally suggests that the two world-views complement each other. 

A western world-view can be stated simply as follows:  Our universe is made up of independently existing objects spread out in space and time.  An eastern world-view is quite the opposite and can be stated as follows: Our universe is an inseparable whole as everything in it is inextricably connected with each other.  Further more, because of its all-inclusiveness and interconnectedness the universe cannot be adequately described through concepts as concepts are, by nature, exclusive (ex: to be A is not to be -A).  

To an average person the eastern world-view is difficult to accept initially.  It makes grand mysterious statements about our universe and everything within and yet seems to defy both logic and common sense.  The western world-view, on the other hand, is both clear and simple and seems almost self-evident.  Furthermore, this simplicity and clarity facilitate a path to modern science as they allow scientists to study one element at a time, thoroughly and in detail, without worrying about its possible connections with the rest of the universe.

However, as modern science progresses some of its latest discoveries have shifted our understanding of the universe ever closer to the eastern world-view.  For instance special theory of relativity suggests that space and time are not two separate entities but are two inseparable parts of space-time.  General theory of relativity goes even further by tying in this space-time with gravity and all physical objects.  In addition, E=MC^2 and wave-particle duality makes it clear that energy and matter as well as wave and particle are not two different things but two different aspects of the same thing.  

Furthermore, studies on synchronicity show us that there is an intimate connection between our inner mental space and the outer physical space.  Which also means that free will, which governs our inner space, and causation, which governs the outer physical space, are also intimately connected.  Finally, the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics states that even as observers we cannot be completely detached from the objects that we are observing.  And because of this quantum uncertainty we also begin to realize that conceptual paradoxes such as being hot and cold or even being alive and dead at the same time are actually part of reality.   

Putting all the evidence together the eastern world-view, as mythical and illogical as it initially seems, is ultimately correct as the universe is indeed an interconnected and inseparable whole and hence ultimately indescribable.  And yet it requires the western  world-view with all its clear, detailed and undeniable scientific discoveries to confirm this mysterious truth.