Date post: | 17-Nov-2014 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | ankur-barua |
View: | 453 times |
Download: | 0 times |
THE CONCEPT OF EMPTINESS OF MATTER
IN MODERN SCIENCE
ANKUR BARUA, N. TESTERMAN, M.A. BASILIO
Buddhist Door, Tung Lin Kok Yuen
Hong Kong, 2009
Address of Corresponding Author:
Dr. ANKUR BARUA
BLOCK – EE, No. – 80, Flat No. – 2A,
SALT LAKE CITY, SECTOR -2,
KOLKATA – 700 091
WEST BENGAL, INDIA
Tel: +91-33-23215586
Mobile: +919434485543
Email: [email protected]
The Concept of Emptiness of Matter in Modern Science Page 2
THE CONCEPT OF EMPTINESS OF MATTER IN MODERN SCIENCE
Abstract
The Buddhist analysis of matter goes hand in hand with our modern scientific
understanding of matter. Quantum physics has recently proved that the major part of
matter actually consists of empty space. Whenever we analyze matter, most of the time
we come across emptiness, while the solid part of matter is hard to recognize. On one
side all the atoms are empty at micro level, on the other side at macro level; most part
of the space is also empty.
Albert Einstein, the pioneer for Quantum Mechanics, and many modern scientists were
very much influenced by the Buddhist doctrines related to the concepts of absence of
any Creator God, absence of any soul or self (anatta), Dependent Origination
(paticcasamuppada), impermanence (anicca) and the emphasis on practicing
compassion with moral-driven, volitional activities (kamma). The meaning of the
expression „Dependent Origination‟ is the same as „emptiness‟”, but it entails a further
emphasis on the lack of intrinsic nature of dhammas and states that all dhammas are
conceptual constructs.
Key words: Buddhist, Matter, Empty, Space, Quantum Analysis.
The Concept of Emptiness of Matter in Modern Science Page 3
THE CONCEPT OF EMPTINESS OF MATTER
IN MODERN SCIENCE
Introduction
Dependent Origination demonstrates the interconnectedness of all phenomenons, their
impermanence, their lack of an intrinsic self, and factors of conditioning. Likewise,
emptiness for Nāgārjuna is equivalent to Dependent Origination as stated by
Candrakīrti, “The meaning of the expression „Dependent Origination‟ is the same as
„emptiness‟”, but it entails a further emphasis on the lack of intrinsic nature of dhammas
and states that all dhammas are conceptual constructs.1
To the Abhidhamma, dhammas are the smallest analyzable unit of existence, but for
Nāgārjuna, even these dhammas are conceptual constructs, and understanding this is
having proper wisdom (prañja): the understanding of emptiness. Nāgārjuna‟s concept
of emptiness can also be applied to the analysis of matter and explains why our very
existence is based on emptiness.1
The Concept of Emptiness of Matter in Modern Science Page 4
The Emptiness of Atoms
The ancient Greeks believed that matter is composed of indivisible small elements with
certain characteristics, such as the characteristics of earth, water, air, and fire. They
called these elements atoms and they held that atoms were solid and fundamental.
However, Ernest Rutherford later demonstrated that atoms have an internal structure
though an experimental verification. 2,3
Rutherford had discovered that atoms have a nucleus containing most of its mass and
that electrons orbit the nucleus.2,3 Moreover, he established that the nucleus of an atom
is only about one ten-thousandth of the diameter of the atom itself, which means that
99.99% of the atom's volume consists of empty space. This is the first manifestation of
emptiness at the subtle level of matter.2,3
Soon after Rutherford's discovery, physicists found that the nucleus of an atom likewise
has an internal structure and that the protons and neutrons making up the nucleus are
composed of even smaller particles, which they named quarks after a poem of James
Joyce. Interestingly, quarks are hypothesized as geometrical points in space, which
implies that atoms are essentially empty. This is the second manifestation of emptiness
at the subtle level of matter.2,3
The Concept of Emptiness of Matter in Modern Science Page 5
Emptiness and the Quantum
The terms "quarks" and "points in space" still suggest something solid, since they can
be imagined as irreducible mass particles. Yet, quantum field theory does away even
with this finer concept of solidity by explaining particles in the terms of field properties.
Quantum electrodynamics (QED) has produced an amazingly successful theory of
matter by combining quantum theory, classical field theory and relativity. No
discrepancies between the predictions of QED and experimental observation have been
found till date. According to QED, subatomic particles are indistinguishable from fields,
whereas fields are basically properties of space. In this view, a particle is a temporary
local densification of a field, which is conditioned by the properties of the surrounding
space. This implies that matter is not different from space. This is the third
manifestation of emptiness at the subtle level of matter.2,3,4
Emptiness and Interrelations of Quantum Physics
An important class of phenomena in the subatomic world is defined by the various
interactions between particles. Although interactions can be described clearly in
mathematical terms, there is no clear distinction between the notions of phenomena,
particles and interactions. For example, there are interactions between free electrons by
means of photons that result in an observed repelling force. There are also interactions
between the quarks of a nucleon by means of mesons, interactions between the
neighboring neutrons or protons, interactions between nucleus and electrons and
The Concept of Emptiness of Matter in Modern Science Page 6
interactions between the atoms of molecules. The phenomena themselves involving the
nucleon, the nucleus, the atom and the molecule are sufficiently described by these
interactions.2,3,4,5
Study of the respective equations suggests that interactions and these phenomena are
interchangeable terms. However, the interrelations of quantum physics do not describe
actual existence. Instead they predict the potential for existence. A manifest particle,
such as an electron, cannot be described in terms of classical mechanics. It exists as a
multitude of superposed "scenarios" in which one or another manifests only when it is
observed upon measurement. Therefore, matter does not inherently exist. It exists only
as interrelations of "empty" phenomena whose properties are determined by
observation. This is the fourth manifestation of emptiness at the subtle level of
matter.2,3,4,5
The Concept of Emptiness of Matter in Modern Science Page 7
Conclusion
Findings from the Buddhist analysis of matter goes hand in hand with our modern
scientific understanding of matter. Quantum physics has recently proved that the major
part of matter actually consists of empty space. Whenever we analyze matter, most of
the time we come across emptiness, while the solid part of matter is hard to recognize.
On one side all the atoms are empty at micro level, on the other side at macro level;
most part of the space is also empty.2,3
Albert Einstein, the pioneer for Quantum Mechanics, and many modern scientists were
very much influenced by the Buddhist doctrines related to the concepts of absence of
any Creator God, absence of any soul or self (anatta), Dependent Origination
(paticcasamuppada), impermanence (anicca) and the emphasis on practicing
compassion with moral-driven, volitional activities (kamma).4,5
Einstein had also predicted that the religion of the future will be a “cosmic religion” and
enthusiastically stated that “if there is any religion that would cope with modern
scientific needs, it would be Buddhism”.4 In his opinion, Buddhism has the
characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future. Buddhism
transcends a personal God and avoids dogma and theology. Buddhism covers both the
natural and spiritual domains of human existence. Buddhism is also based on a religious
sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful
unity.4
The Concept of Emptiness of Matter in Modern Science Page 8
References
1. Williams, P. 2009. Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, 2nd edition.
UK: Routledge: 69-82.
2. Knierim, T. 2009. Emptiness is Form [serial online]. [Cited 2009 October 20]; [4
screens]. Available from: URL:
http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/emptiness.html
3. Finkelstein, D.R., Wallace, B.A. ed. 2001. Emptiness and Relativity. Berkeley, CA:
University of California Press.
4. Dukas, H., Hoffman B., ed. 1954. Albert Einstein: The Human Side. Princeton,
NJ: Princeton University Press.
5. Jammer, M. 1999. Einstein and religion: physics and theology. Princeton, NJ:
Princeton University Press.