Some Aspects of Islamic Some Aspects of Islamic Cosmology and the current Cosmology and the current

state of Physicsstate of Physics

Shahidan RadimanShahidan Radiman

School of Applied PhysicsSchool of Applied Physics

Faculty of Science and Faculty of Science and TechnologyTechnology

Universiti Kebangsaan Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaMalaysia

Int. Conf. on Mathematical Sc. 29 Int. Conf. on Mathematical Sc. 29 Nov.2007Nov.2007

Islamic Cosmology (with main Islamic Cosmology (with main work by Kalam cosmologists work by Kalam cosmologists

and Mir Damad)and Mir Damad)

1. The argument for the temporality of 1. The argument for the temporality of the world is part of a whole theory of the world is part of a whole theory of natural philosophy that Kalam natural philosophy that Kalam cosmologists tried to construct under cosmologists tried to construct under the heading of Daqiq al-Kalam which the heading of Daqiq al-Kalam which discusses the properties of nature as discusses the properties of nature as compared to Jalil al-Kalam which compared to Jalil al-Kalam which discusses Divine attributes and discusses Divine attributes and metaphysics.metaphysics.

2. Under Daqiq al-Kalam were 5 2. Under Daqiq al-Kalam were 5 principles:principles:

(i)(i) Temporality (of the universe)Temporality (of the universe)(ii)(ii)Discreteness ( space, time, energy , Discreteness ( space, time, energy ,

matter are discrete)matter are discrete)(iii)(iii) continual creation (and continual creation (and

annihilation) – occasionalismannihilation) – occasionalism(iv)(iv) indeterminism i.e laws of nature indeterminism i.e laws of nature

are contingent and undetermined are contingent and undetermined (v)(v)Space-time integrity : both space Space-time integrity : both space

and time must exist together for and time must exist together for both body and eventsboth body and events

3. It is the last of this principle that was 3. It is the last of this principle that was challenged by Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Mir challenged by Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Mir Damad (d.1631 ) who proposed the concept Damad (d.1631 ) who proposed the concept of huduth dahri ( atemporal creation) -see of huduth dahri ( atemporal creation) -see also Fazlur Rahman , JNES, 1966. His other also Fazlur Rahman , JNES, 1966. His other two division of createdness : huduth al two division of createdness : huduth al dhati (essential createdness) and huduth dhati (essential createdness) and huduth zamani (temporal createdness) has no zamani (temporal createdness) has no problem with other Muslim philosophers. problem with other Muslim philosophers. This division came from his distinction of 3 This division came from his distinction of 3 kinds of worlds: (i) the everlasting worls kinds of worlds: (i) the everlasting worls ( ( alam al-sarmadialam al-sarmadi) which is the space for ) which is the space for Divine presence , his essence and his Divine presence , his essence and his attributes; (ii) Atemporal world ( attributes; (ii) Atemporal world ( alam al alam al dahridahri) which is the space for pure ) which is the space for pure archetypes ( archetypes ( al mujarradatal mujarradat) and (iii) the ) and (iii) the temporal world ( temporal world ( alam al zamanialam al zamani) where we ) where we live now.live now.

Brief CV of Mir Damad (d.1631):Brief CV of Mir Damad (d.1631): A Gnostic philosopher arguing that activity A Gnostic philosopher arguing that activity

of the minds makes possible spiritual of the minds makes possible spiritual vision while visionary experience gives rise vision while visionary experience gives rise to rational thoughts.to rational thoughts.

Born in Astarabad but grew up in Mashhad. Born in Astarabad but grew up in Mashhad. Studied in Qazwin and Kashan before Studied in Qazwin and Kashan before coming to Isfahan. coming to Isfahan.

He is also a mystic and jurist. He is also a mystic and jurist. His kitab al Qabasat is well studied in His kitab al Qabasat is well studied in

modern times by Majid Fakhry , M.M Watt modern times by Majid Fakhry , M.M Watt and O. Leaman , Hamid Dabashi , Henri and O. Leaman , Hamid Dabashi , Henri Corbin and S.Ashtiyani.Corbin and S.Ashtiyani.

4.Mir Damad concludes that the contingent 4.Mir Damad concludes that the contingent non-being of the world of the archetypals of non-being of the world of the archetypals of the dahri stage in the stage of the sarmadi the dahri stage in the stage of the sarmadi existence is a real and self-evident non-existence is a real and self-evident non-being. Thus , all created beings and their being. Thus , all created beings and their archetypals are consequent to real and self-archetypals are consequent to real and self-evident non-being. Their creation is an evident non-being. Their creation is an atemporal (dahri) creation and NOT as atemporal (dahri) creation and NOT as mutakallimun maintain , a temporal mutakallimun maintain , a temporal (zamani) creation. From this it follows that (zamani) creation. From this it follows that beyond their essential creation (al huduth al beyond their essential creation (al huduth al dhati) all temporal events are contingent dhati) all temporal events are contingent upon and consequent to 3 real modes of upon and consequent to 3 real modes of non-existence: temporal, atemporal and non-existence: temporal, atemporal and everlasting.everlasting.

5. “ By devising the concept of huduth 5. “ By devising the concept of huduth dahri (atemporal creation) , Mir dahri (atemporal creation) , Mir Damad has succeeded in Damad has succeeded in establishing a compromise between establishing a compromise between the theologians ( mutakallimun) and the theologians ( mutakallimun) and the philosophers , in other words , the philosophers , in other words , between religious law and reason” .between religious law and reason” .

- Musawi Bihbahani in introduction to - Musawi Bihbahani in introduction to 1977 edition of Kitab al Qabasat 1977 edition of Kitab al Qabasat (Book of Embers) of Mir Damad (Book of Embers) of Mir Damad ( written presumably before 1631).( written presumably before 1631).

Division about AtomsDivision about AtomsPhiloshoper/Philoshoper/

TheologianTheologianAtomsAtoms

Mutakallimun + Fakr Mutakallimun + Fakr al din al-Razial din al-Razi

Dimensionles atoms Dimensionles atoms (jawahir + a’rad)- (jawahir + a’rad)- complex wholecomplex whole

Abu Bakar al-RaziAbu Bakar al-Razi Eternal entitiesEternal entities

Ibn HazmIbn Hazm Rejected atoms and Rejected atoms and hylomorphism – hylomorphism – creation ex nihilocreation ex nihilo

Ibn Sina + Ibn Sina + peripateticsperipatetics

Hylomorphism Hylomorphism ( matter + form) –( matter + form) –simple wholesimple whole

Modern physicistsModern physicists Spin foams , strings , Spin foams , strings , subPlanckiansubPlanckian

Comments on Mir Damad by Comments on Mir Damad by Fazlur Rahman (JNES 1966)Fazlur Rahman (JNES 1966)

1. Damad formulated his doctrine opf real 1. Damad formulated his doctrine opf real origination in dahr , a theory implying a origination in dahr , a theory implying a rupture or dislocation(or hiatus) of being rupture or dislocation(or hiatus) of being between God and the world.between God and the world.

2.Damad has made a real departure from 2.Damad has made a real departure from Ibn Sina for whom normally huduth Ibn Sina for whom normally huduth means origination in time, which Damad means origination in time, which Damad thinks is actually imkan. thinks is actually imkan.

3. 3. DahrDahr then , means the world of pure then , means the world of pure time where origination or “eventuality” time where origination or “eventuality” remains WITHOUT the extension of time. remains WITHOUT the extension of time.

4. Damad , who is in the tradition of 4. Damad , who is in the tradition of essentialism ( as opposed to his pupil Mulla essentialism ( as opposed to his pupil Mulla Sadra who is an existentialist) believes that Sadra who is an existentialist) believes that prior to their positive real existence , prior to their positive real existence , essences exists with God and are caused by essences exists with God and are caused by Him.This is what he meant by Him.This is what he meant by taqaddum taqaddum dhatidhati or essential/logical priority….. But the or essential/logical priority….. But the discontinuity of their being with God’s discontinuity of their being with God’s requires that they exist at a lower level of requires that they exist at a lower level of being which Damad called being which Damad called dahrdahr….when an ….when an essence is translated into external existence essence is translated into external existence , it can no longer remain in the state of pure , it can no longer remain in the state of pure contingency or contingency or imkanimkan, but must develop a , but must develop a rupture (infikak) with God’s being….rupture (infikak) with God’s being….

Quantum cosmogenyQuantum cosmogeny

In quantum cosmogeny gravitational In quantum cosmogeny gravitational instanton gives rise to Lorentzian instanton gives rise to Lorentzian signature spacetime by analytic signature spacetime by analytic continuation across minimal continuation across minimal hypersurfaces. This continuation can hypersurfaces. This continuation can be interpreted either as quantum be interpreted either as quantum tunnelling or creation of the Universe tunnelling or creation of the Universe from nothing (ex nihilo). Weighting from nothing (ex nihilo). Weighting on gravitational action Son gravitational action SEE can serve can serve as a method of selecting a vacuum as a method of selecting a vacuum from the landscape of string vacua.from the landscape of string vacua.

Recent Findings on Big Bang Recent Findings on Big Bang CosmologyCosmology

1.1. Martin Bojowald equation (spin Martin Bojowald equation (spin network model) : refined quantisation network model) : refined quantisation to the Friedmann equation –physically to the Friedmann equation –physically realistic and no singularity , no need realistic and no singularity , no need for inflaton field , can reach the for inflaton field , can reach the time time before Big Bangbefore Big Bang. This equation is the . This equation is the equivalent discretised (difference) equivalent discretised (difference) Wheeler-DeWitt equation for the Wheeler-DeWitt equation for the universe. The individual snapshots of universe. The individual snapshots of the Big Bang recognisable under the the Big Bang recognisable under the “eye” of quantum geometry.“eye” of quantum geometry.

2. Time may not exist (C. Rovelli- 2. Time may not exist (C. Rovelli- Intro.chapter on Quantum Gravity , Intro.chapter on Quantum Gravity , Edit D. Oriti, CUP)Edit D. Oriti, CUP)

Space: Space might not be infinitely Space: Space might not be infinitely divisible. It may have a quantum divisible. It may have a quantum granularity at the Planck scale , granularity at the Planck scale , (hG/c(hG/c33))1/21/2 = 10 = 10 -35-35 m analogous to the m analogous to the granularity of energy in a quantum granularity of energy in a quantum oscillator. This granularity of space is oscillator. This granularity of space is fully realised in loop quantum gravity fully realised in loop quantum gravity theory and there are hints of it also theory and there are hints of it also in string theory. This is the current in string theory. This is the current state of Atomism!state of Atomism!

In GR there is no external time In GR there is no external time parameter. Coordinate time is a parameter. Coordinate time is a gauge variable which is not gauge variable which is not observable and the physical variable observable and the physical variable measured by a clock is a nontrivial measured by a clock is a nontrivial function of the gravitational field. function of the gravitational field. Fundamental equations of quantum Fundamental equations of quantum gravity might therefore not be gravity might therefore not be written as evolution equations in an written as evolution equations in an observable time variable. In fact , the observable time variable. In fact , the Wheeler-De Witt equation there is Wheeler-De Witt equation there is NO time variable at all. NO time variable at all.

To make sense of the world at the To make sense of the world at the Planck scale and to find a consistent Planck scale and to find a consistent conceptual framework for GR and QM conceptual framework for GR and QM we might have to give up the notion we might have to give up the notion of time altogether and learn ways to of time altogether and learn ways to describe the world in atemporal describe the world in atemporal terms. In fact , another approach terms. In fact , another approach ( apart from strings and loop quantum ( apart from strings and loop quantum gravity) is Topos theory where time gravity) is Topos theory where time and space are just another named and space are just another named dimensions. So, time is treated dimensions. So, time is treated equally like another space dimension.equally like another space dimension.

To make sense about NO time , To make sense about NO time , complementary ideas or approaches complementary ideas or approaches based on non-commutative geometry based on non-commutative geometry , dynamical triangulations , effective , dynamical triangulations , effective theories , causal sets etc are being theories , causal sets etc are being employed. employed.

Connes and Rovelli in fact define time Connes and Rovelli in fact define time in quantum gravity by using in quantum gravity by using thermodynamics and using the thermodynamics and using the Tomita-Tasesaki theorem cook up a Tomita-Tasesaki theorem cook up a Hamiltonian (hence a notion of time Hamiltonian (hence a notion of time evolution) from a state of quantum evolution) from a state of quantum system!system!

3.Planckscale physics:3.Planckscale physics:

Near Planckscale (10Near Planckscale (10-35-35 m) , ground state m) , ground state graviton constantly stretch and squash graviton constantly stretch and squash the geometry of space-time causing the geometry of space-time causing conformal fluctuation in space-time. conformal fluctuation in space-time. Information on gravitons near Information on gravitons near Planckscale can be extracted by Planckscale can be extracted by observing this fluctuations by analysing observing this fluctuations by analysing blurring effects (decoherence) on blurring effects (decoherence) on coherent matter waves. This coherent matter waves. This decoherence can be seen by neutrons decoherence can be seen by neutrons (first proposed by Ellis et al , 1984)(first proposed by Ellis et al , 1984)

4. Transplanckian footprint4. Transplanckian footprintIn the framework of inflation , scales In the framework of inflation , scales

which nowadays corresponds to large which nowadays corresponds to large scale structures were smaller than the scale structures were smaller than the Planck length at the beginning of Planck length at the beginning of inflation. Therefore, measurements of inflation. Therefore, measurements of CMBR anisotropy or surveys of galaxies CMBR anisotropy or surveys of galaxies and clusters of galaxies could help us and clusters of galaxies could help us probe physics beyond the Planck scale.probe physics beyond the Planck scale.

This Planckscale physics is the footprint This Planckscale physics is the footprint of the “atom” of existence ( space and of the “atom” of existence ( space and time).time).

Inflation and High Energy Inflation and High Energy Physics: Whither Physics: Whither Decoupling?Decoupling?• Inflation solves the horizon, Inflation solves the horizon, flatness and fluctuations problems flatness and fluctuations problems via superluminal expansion.via superluminal expansion.

• All physical scales are then All physical scales are then stretched exponentially.stretched exponentially.

• We need at least 65 e-folds of We need at least 65 e-folds of inflation to solve the problems. inflation to solve the problems. This means that sub-Planckian This means that sub-Planckian scales can be stretched to scales can be stretched to cosmological size!cosmological size!

t

x

lp

Hubble radius during inflation

ti

ti (k)

th (k)

Physical scale size k-1

Horizon/Hubble radius in SBB

TransPlanckian region

Could Trans-Planckian physics affect the CMB power spectrum? If so, how?

Change the dispersion relation for TransPlanckian physical wave numbers to

Change the vacuum for TP modes so that they are different at Hubble crossing.

String space-time uncertainty

Minimum length

Dispersion relation with saturation: two branches vacua;de Sitter

invariant like BD Allen, Mottola)

phys

phys

k

Mind-Independent RealityMind-Independent Reality

1.1. Idealism vs Realism :Idealism vs Realism :Idealist philosophy believes that the mind Idealist philosophy believes that the mind

exists, and that our sense of the external exists, and that our sense of the external world (physical reality) is simply a world (physical reality) is simply a construction of the mind. Given that all our construction of the mind. Given that all our knowledge is in fact a creation of the mind knowledge is in fact a creation of the mind (imagination) it has been difficult to refute (imagination) it has been difficult to refute this - to get from our ideas of things to the this - to get from our ideas of things to the real thing in itself .real thing in itself .

Realism: Atomism is an example of near Realism: Atomism is an example of near realism. Mathematical realism consists in realism. Mathematical realism consists in considering that the concepts that truly fits considering that the concepts that truly fits Reality are of a mathematical nature. A Reality are of a mathematical nature. A corollary to realism is counterfactuality corollary to realism is counterfactuality ( very important in quantum theory).( very important in quantum theory).

In his various proofs for the establishment of In his various proofs for the establishment of dahr dahr , Damad seeks to prove , for example , Damad seeks to prove , for example , that , that IntelligencesIntelligences and heavenly spheres and heavenly spheres must really exist in must really exist in dahrdahr …..- Fazlur …..- Fazlur Rahman.Rahman.

I have not been able to find direct discussion I have not been able to find direct discussion of Mind-Independent reality discussed by of Mind-Independent reality discussed by Muslim philosophers.Muslim philosophers.

As for Causality , much has been discussed As for Causality , much has been discussed especially that of Al-Ghazali and I will not especially that of Al-Ghazali and I will not repeat it here.repeat it here.

Quantum theory is weakly objective Quantum theory is weakly objective ( d’Espagnat) e.g Born rule .Its weak ( d’Espagnat) e.g Born rule .Its weak objectivity is a powerful indication that objectivity is a powerful indication that what science describes cannot be what science describes cannot be conceived of as being “Mind-Independent” conceived of as being “Mind-Independent” Reality. Reality.

2. Ontologically interpretable models:2. Ontologically interpretable models:

They are “non-std models” –reproducing They are “non-std models” –reproducing observational predictions of conventional observational predictions of conventional quantum theory but fully expressed in quantum theory but fully expressed in strongly objective terms. Some are strongly objective terms. Some are undeterministic while some like Broglie-undeterministic while some like Broglie-Bohm model are deterministic.Bohm model are deterministic.

ConclusionsConclusionsI have briefly discussed the relevance of I have briefly discussed the relevance of

Mir Damad’s theory with current Mir Damad’s theory with current understanding of Big Bang cosmology and understanding of Big Bang cosmology and also the concept of atom as understood also the concept of atom as understood by Mutakallimun as compared to current by Mutakallimun as compared to current physics understanding of what is at the physics understanding of what is at the Planckscale. Planckscale.

It would be interesting to connect many of It would be interesting to connect many of the earlier theories of Islamic the earlier theories of Islamic philosophers with the current philosophers with the current understanding of modern physics on the understanding of modern physics on the nature of the Universe.nature of the Universe.

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