Sunday, March 27, 2011

DETERMINISM


The following is M.N.Roy’s view on Determinism in the context of Relativity and Quantum Physics:

“Determinism and probability are not mutually exclusive conceptions. On the contrary, a synthesis of the two enables us to have a truer picture of relations as they really exist in nature. Coordinated with the concept of probability, determinism loses its teleological connotation. On the other hand, statistical laws cannot have any validity if the principle of causality is totally denied. In short, probability is the dynamic view of determinism. Moreover, induction remains the rock bottom of scientific research; but a rigidly mechanical view of determinism cannot be logically reconciled with induction. Probability is methodologically preferable. With this principle, scientific theories gain in purely logical validity, while causal connection remains empirically indisputable. When the number of entities entering in calculations is so very great as to be incalculable, almost approximating infinity, then there can be no absolute certainty about prediction. All the causal influences, even upon a particular event, cannot possibly be traced. In such a situation, determinism has to be interpreted in terms of probability. But determinism remains. The innumerable number of possibilities of a given situation are all determined. Even if the most improbable event happened, it would be causally determined.”
Rejecting the superstitious attempts to bring in miracles, he held that there was no place for miracles in nature. Science has not reduced matter to mind. Causality is similarly valid:
“Rejecting the idea of causality – that there are invariant relations in nature – will mean blasting the very foundation of science. For, the point of departure of all scientific enquiry is the belief that the universe is a law-governed system, and that these laws can be discovered, understood and quantitatively stated. As long as predictions can be made, and events happen approximately as predicted, the principle of physical determinism stands.”
(Science And Philosophy, Ajanta Publications, Delhi, 1947, 1984)


M.N. Roy presented his Twenty –two Theses in the form of aphorisms probably in the model of Marx’s Theses on Feuerbach. Though he himself did not elaborate thesis by thesis, some books are available which try to explain the important aspects as well as clear the possible ambiguities:

Prof. R.L.Nigam’s ‘Radical Humanism of M.N.Roy An Exposition of his 22 Theses, Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi, 1988,

Justice VM Tarkunde’s book on Radial Humanism

and

 Prof: G.D.Parikh’s ‘Essence of Royism’ are some of the important ones.



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