Mathematics and the Divine in Plato
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Akasha (Space) and Shabda (Sound): Vedic and Acoustical Perspectives
1 Akasha (Space) and Shabda (Sound): Vedic and Acoustical perspectives M.G. Prasad Department of Mechanical Engineering Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey [email protected] Abstract A sequential ordering of five elements on their decreasing subtlety, namely space, air fire, water and earth is stated by Narayanopanishat in Atharva Veda. This statement is examined from an acoustical point of view. The space as an element (bhuta) is qualified by sound as its descriptor (tanmatra). The relation between space and sound and their subtle nature in reference to senses of perception will be presented. The placement of space as the first element and sound as its only property will be discussed in a scientific perspective. Introduction The five elements and their properties are referred to in various places in the Vedic literature. An element is the substance (dravya) which has an associated property (of qualities) termed as guna. The substance-property (or dravya- guna) relationship is very important in dealing with human perception and its nature through the five senses. Several Upanishads and the darshana shastras have dealt with the topic of substance-property (see list of references at the end). The sequential ordering of the five elements is a fundamental issue when dealing with the role of five elements and their properties in the cosmological evolution of the universe. At the same time the order of the properties of elements is also fundamental issue when dealing with the perception of elements is also a through five senses. This paper focuses attention on the element-property (or dravya-guna) relation in reference to space as the element and sound as its property. -
THEORY of AYURVEDA (An Overview)
THEORYTHEORY OFOF AYURVEDAAYURVEDA (An(An Overview)Overview) Dr Chakra Pany Sharma M. D. ( Ayu ), PhD ( Sch ) READER -PG MMM Govt Ayurveda College Udaipur -India Lord Brhama Lord Dhanvantari-The 313001 Father of Surgery Email: [email protected] [email protected] An Overview of Lake City Udaipur Fatehsagar Lake and Island Park Greenery in Rural Area Clouds over the Peak of Mountain Night Scenario of Fountain Park Introduction & Background Ayurveda (Devanagari : आयुवBद ) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent . It is presently in daily use by millions of people in India , Nepal , Sri Lanka ,China , Tibet, and Pakistan . It is now in practice for health care in Europian countries. The word " Ayurveda " is a tatpurusha compound of the word āyus meaning "life" or "life principle", and the word veda , which refers to a system of "knowledge". Continued…………………….. According to Charaka Samhita , "life" itself is defined as the "combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul, the factor responsible for preventing decay and death." According to this perspective, Ayurveda is concerned with measures to protect "ayus ", which includes healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Continued…………………. Ayurvedavatarana (the "descent of Ayurveda ") Brahama Daksha Prajapati Indra Bharadwaj Bharadvaja in turn taught Ayurveda to a group of assembled sages, who then passed down different aspects of this knowledge to their students . Continued…………………. According to tradition, Ayurveda was first described in text form by Agnivesha , named - Agnivesh tantra . The book was later redacted by Charaka , and became known as the Charaka Samhit ā. -
Lecture 9 Plato's Theory of Matter
Lecture 9 Plato's Theory of Matter Patrick Maher Scientific Thought I Fall 2009 Necessity and intellect Both play a role We must describe both types of causes, distinguishing those which possess understanding and thus fashion what is beautiful and good, from those which are devoid of intelligence and so produce only haphazard and disorderly effects every time. [46e] Timaeus calls these \intellect" and \necessity," respectively. Now in all but a brief part of the discourse I have just completed I have presented what has been crafted by Intellect. But I need to match this account by providing a comparable one concerning the things that have come about by Necessity. For this ordered world is of mixed birth: it is the offspring of a union of Necessity and Intellect. [47e] Contrast with Phaedo In Phaedo Socrates said he wanted to explain everything by showing it is for the best. In Timaeus's terminology, he wanted to explain everything by intellect. But Timaeus says that in addition to intellect there is necessity and we need to take account of both. Role of intellect in matter Use of Platonic solids The creator gave fire, air, earth, and water forms that make them as perfect as possible. The regular polyhedra are the best shapes, so he gave the elements those shapes. See diagrams. Tetrahedron: fire Octahedron: air Cube: earth Icosahedron: water Elementary triangles The faces of the tetrahedron, octahedron, and icosahedron are equilateral triangles. Timaeus says these triangles are composed of six smaller ones, each of which is half an equilateral triangle. The faces of the cube are squares. -
Wu-Xing Spiral
Page 1 ©Taoism.GoodEasy.Info WuXing Spiral Sacred geometry of Dr Jenia Meng Zai V3.0 About WuXing Spiral is a sacred geometry that was created by Dr Jenia Meng Zai. It is based on rigorous scientific methods (math, physics, astronomy etc.) and inspired by ancient traditions worldwide. The geometry was first released online on 26 August 2017 [1]. Thousands physists around world were informed of the discovery. Subsequent discussion also took place at [2] and a number of other online platforms. This document is compiled from these discussions. It summarizes key thoughs of Dr Jenia Meng Zai about the geometry Methods In 2014 Dr Jenia Meng Zai published the link between Wu Xing (five elements of Taoism) and 5 planets of significant gravity [5] (see right). The gravities were all based on main stream astronomical data and formula. In 2017 she created the spiral model based on the link and science of flame energy, temperature, color, synodic periods (planet cycles from Earth viewpoint ) etc. The spiral became a model of Theory of Everything[11], a.k.a. sacred geometry[12]. How to Read the Graph The graph of WuXing Spiral (page 1) has three sections: 1) top left, Universe, 2) top right, Earth 3) bottom, Human. A4 printable image of the graph can be download from http://Taoism.GoodEasy.info/colors.png Page 2 ©Taoism.GoodEasy.Info Common color wheel is unscientific, this spiral ('CMYK' and white of WuXing, see top left graph) matches physics. Earth colors largely (see top right graph) from it Lines that pass the center of the color spiral locate true complementary colors: two harmonious colors that are aesthetically pleasing together. -
The Mathematical Anti-Atomism of Plato's Timaeus
The mathematical anti-atomism of Plato’s Timaeus Luc Brisson, Salomon Ofman To cite this version: Luc Brisson, Salomon Ofman. The mathematical anti-atomism of Plato’s Timaeus. Ancient Philoso- phy, Philosophy Documentation Center, In press. hal-02923266 HAL Id: hal-02923266 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02923266 Submitted on 26 Aug 2020 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. The mathematical anti-atomism of Plato’s Timaeus Luc Brisson Salomon Ofman Centre Jean Pépin CNRS-Institut mathématique de Jussieu- CNRS-UMR 8230 Paris Rive Gauche École normale supérieure Sorbonne Université Paris Sciences Lettres Paris Université Abstract. In Plato’s eponymous dialogue, Timaeus, the main character presents the universe as an almost perfect sphere filled by tiny invisible particles having the form of four regular polyhedrons. At first glance, such a construction may seem close to an atomic theory. However, one does not find any text in Antiquity tying Timaeus’ cosmology to the atomists, and Aristotle made a clear distinction between Plato and the latter. Despite the cosmology in the Timaeus is so far apart from the one of the atomists, Plato is commonly presented in contemporary literature as some sort of atomist, sometimes as supporting a so-called form of ‘mathematical atomism’. -
Plato's Tyrant in Neoplatonic Philosophy
Chapter 8 Plato’s Tyrant in Neoplatonic Philosophy Dominic J. O’Meara This chapter contains two main parts. In the first part (I), I propose taking the figure of the tyrant, as it appears in Plato’s dialogues, with a view to describing the ways in which the Platonist philosophers of Late Antiquity interpreted this figure in their works. I will discuss in particular the work of Proclus (412–485), one of the major representatives of the Athenian school of Neoplatonism, con- centrating on his commentary on Plato’s Republic. Other texts by Proclus and by other Neoplatonists will also be considered. My purpose is not to comment on the value of these late ancient readings of Plato, as regards the interpre- tation of Plato himself, but to sketch the ways in which these philosophers viewed the nature and origins of tyranny, in the context of their reading of Plato. In the second part of the chapter (II), I will attempt to see to what extent these philosophers used their reading of Plato as a way of describing and analyzing the political realities of their time, in particular the form of politi- cal power which prevailed in the late Roman (or early Byzantine) Empire. I will suggest that Plato’s tyrant provided these philosophers with conceptual tools useful for diagnosing the evils brought by the rule of the emperors of their period. Thus the exegesis of Plato, for these philosophers, was relevant to understanding and criticizing the political conditions in which they lived: for them the Christian imperial rule of their time was indeed that described in Plato’s account of the tyrannical regime. -
On the Chemistry of Plato's Timaeus
HYLE 4-2 (1998): A Potential Infinity of Triangle Types: On the Chemistry of Plato's Timaeus HYLE--International Journal for Philosophy of Chemistry, Vol. 4 (1998), No. 2 , pp. 117-128 A Potential Infinity of Triangle Types On the Chemistry of Plato's Timaeus John Visintainer Abstract: Francis Cornford's assertion that there must be a smallest elemental triangle in the Platonic chemistry of the Timaeus is overturned in this paper. I show that, according to Plato, there need not be such a triangle and there might be a potentially infinite amount of elemental triangles. In doing so, I follow the interpretation of the Platonic chemistry first proposed by Bruins. Finally, I draw some conclusions with regard to Plato's relationship to atomism and modern chemistry. Keywords : ontology, Plato's chemistry, atomism, elements, perfect solids. Introduction The chemistry of the Timaeus might appear as an arcane curiosity and nothing else at first glance. Through the eyes of any Twentieth Century student of science and metaphysics, Plato's chemistry seems at odds with contemporary chemistry. For example, we know that there are more and other elements than the four (fire, air, water, and earth) that Plato claimed. And, certainly, we do not claim that the perfect solids or triangles have anything to do with the way that elements are formed or the way that chemical reactions take place. However, Plato's ideas appear more tenable when we consider that the way that reactions take place in the Platonic chemistry are analogous to the way that chemical reactions are said to take place by modern chemistry. -
The Capabilities and Potential Effectiveness of India's Prithvi Missile Z
Science& Global Security, 1998,Volume 7, pp. 333-360 @ 1998 OPA (OverseasPublishers Association) N.V. Reprints available directly from the publisher Published by license under Photocopyingpermitted by license only the Gordon and Breach Publishersimprint. Printed in India Bringing Prithvi Down to Earth: The Capabilities and Potential Effectiveness of India's Prithvi Missile z. MianO, A.H. Nayyarb and M. V. Ramanac - Prelude: The following paper was written prior to Pakistan's test of the Ghauri missile in April 1998 and also India and Pakistan's May 1998 nuclear weapon tests. In recent years, the development, testing and ambiguous deployment status of India's short range Prithvi missile has caused great concern in Pakistan, and accelerated the missile race in South Asia. This paper summarizes the open literature descriptions of Prithvi and assessesthe military effectiveness of Prithvi if it is used with conventional warheads in attacks on Pakistani airfields, command centers, and radar installations. It is shown that the current accuracy of Prithvi is such that a very large number of missiles would be needed to damage or destroy such targets. Given India's large air force, the small number of Prithvi missiles that have been ordered by India's armed forces, and the much larger number of missiles required to pose a significant additional military threat to Pakistan, the justification for Prithvi is obviously open to question. It is suggested that the induction of Prithvi with its present limited capabilities may be largely a result of institutional pressure from India's Defense Research and Develop- ment Organization, which is responsible for the missile program, rather than demand from the armed forces. -
An Analytical and Comparative Study of Indian and Chinese Cosmologies
AN ANALYTICAL AND COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INDIAN AND CHINESE COSMOLOGIES S. MAHDIHASSAN* ABSTRACT To understand Chinese Cosmology in terms of the Indian system we have to look upon Cninese elements as symbols of the qualities they incorporate. The elements rearranged with the corresponding qualities would be : As elements: Fire. Water, Metal, Earth and Wood. As quali- ties: Hot, Cold, Dry, Moist, and Wind. Nothing can be drier than a metal hence dryness is symbolized as Metal. Subsoil is invariabry moist, hence moisture is symbolized as Earth. Wood is fresh - wood, like a cutting which transplants another life- form. It is potential life, like an egg, or better still here cosmic egg, the source of all creation. Its content is wind, like pneuma in Greek philosophy. Life-breath, the source of cosmic move- ment, cosmic existence, in fact cosmic soul. Life-energy is creative energy and Akasha as container would have cosmic soul as content. This makes wind (as cosmic) = Akasha, 1. A problem in comparative cosmology: By cosmology is understood a system of interpreting the universe III terms of few irreducible factors called Cosmic elements. Now \\ hatever exists in the universe can be either a form of matter, like star, stone and plant, or a form of energy, like heat and light. Further we must recognize entities as being independent of others, like stone as matter and heat as energy. Then what is merely relative, like heat and cold, these would be one and same entity, which concentrated would be called heat and reduced would be felt as cold. Thirdly there would be hypothetical entities logically justifiable but not knowable. -
Zoroaster and the Theory of Four Elements
Bull. Hist. Chem., VOLUME 25, Number 2 (2000) 109 ZOROASTER AND THE THEORY OF FOUR ELEMENTS th bh, v Unvrt Intrdtn trl, nd n thr tp. vr, h dvtd nl t p t th rlr rn phlphr h npt f fr lnt: r, tr, rth, nd fr, rtr nd h rln. t rprnl, prhp, th thht t hv t rn th th Gr phlphr d f fr "rd" lnt bnt. Epdl bt 440 .C., hld fr n nt A tpl rnt r. Arttl (8422 .C. prntd fll (. ddd t th npt tht th Ardn t Arttl, th prprt f btn r IE b f th trl rld th rlt f th ltn prn f rtn fndn pr ttr, hh hd nl ptntl xt tl prprt. h Arttln t r n ntl prd b dtrn thrfr n "fr." fr h dd nt rnd nt th ht drn n hp nl, bt ll ht ll lnt bt AI EA tht nfrrd pn bd th n btrt nptn f t pf prprt. In rtn ntrr prprt r Cld t plt nfttn, "lt," pll ld Mt fr v r t th "fr n, htn, drn, nd lnt," r, tr, rth, tn, hh b nd fr hh r dtn ntd n fr bntn: WAE hd fr n nthr drn nd ht (fr, ht b thr "lt." In nd tr (r, tr Figure 1. h fr lnt rprntd n lt h lnt, n lt nd ld (tr, nd ld nd ll htr nd htr f htr b. prdnt vr th drn (rth (. thr: n rth, drn n Arttl nd h fllr blvd tht ll btn tr, ld n r, fldt, nd n fr, ht. -
Ahara Chikitsa
Ahara chikitsa - AshtangaHridayam It means that you should not eat full stomach, but leave a little space for proper digestion to - Eat to 1/2 capacity of stomach, drink to 1/4 and leave 1/4 for air TYPES OF RASAS According to the Ayurveda, there are six tastes. All the food substances which we are eating will be having any of these tastes or their combinations. • Madhura (Sweet) • Amla (Sour) • Lavana (Salty) • Tiktha (Bitte) Katu (Pungent) • Kashaya (Astringent) Taste is a quality of every substance. Each substance may have one or more tastes which is perceived when the substance comes in contact with the tongue. The first clearly recognizable taste is known as the Pradhana Rasa (the primary taste) and the remaining taste which is recognized later and mildly is Anurasa (the secondary taste). Each taste is more strengthening to the body in their order of precedence. That means the sweet taste provides the maximum strength to the body, the sour taste will provide a little less strength compared to sweet taste. Like this the strengthening power gradually decreases as we go to the bitter, pungent and astringent tastes. So the astringent taste will be the one, which provides the minimum strength to the body THE RELATION BETWEEN RASA AND MAHABHUTA Like all matter, rasa is also made up of pachamahabhuta. Each rasa has all the mahabhuta but among them, two mahabhuta will be predominant. The following shows the relation of mahabhuta and rasa Earth and water elements are predominant in sweet taste Fire and earth elements are predominant in sour taste Water and fire elements are predominant in salty taste Ether and air elements are predominant in bitter taste Fire and air elements are predominant in pungent taste Earth and air elements are predominant in astringent taste PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT TASTE Taste Qualities and properties with indications Adverse Effects v- p- k+, Obesity, indigestion, promotes profound strength, increases diabetes, lethargy, tumour. -
Notes on Aristotle and the Cynics
The Good in Ancient Philosophy 6 Notes on Aristotle and the Cynics 1. Dikaiosune This derives from dikaios (δίκαιος), which can mean loyal, equal, well-balanced, fair, right, or just, of course. The suffix -sunē turns the adjective into a noun, just as -ia turns eudaimon into eudaimonia. So we get justice or rightness. Remember: the goddess Dikē holds balances and a sword and is blind-folded. 2. Aristotle: ‘Happy-ing’ 1. Eudaimonia is not instrumental: if it were, we would seek happiness in order to achieve something else, a further goal (see, e.g., NE I.7). But there is none. So, eudaimonia is not a means to a further end, it is The End. If we were constantly on the way to something else, we would miss the eudaimon moment. 2. Contrast. For Plato, the Good (as such, unqualified) is super-categorical— the end of the line, the top Idea. So, the ideal is to become good, or perfect or ‘bestest’ (as Lola would have it); and that good is absolute also in the sense that it is not relative to human concerns. For Aristotle, when we become good, we become good or perfect exemplars of the human kind—ideally the best possible instances of humanity. 3. Function. The good is the end (aim) of all action. The highest good (i.e. the ariston) is self-sufficient (autarkes) and final (teleion), and so the (super-)end of action (tōn praktōn ousa telos; NE I.7 1097b20). Everything has a function (ergon) associated with the good. (A ‘good’ painter is one that paints well—so fulfils her function well, or better than others, or just best.) We live our lives best insofar as we perform the human function well or ‘bestly’.