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Vahia, Mayank N.
- Evolution of Science I:Evolution of Mind
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1 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400 005, IN
1 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400 005, IN
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Current Science, Vol 111, No 9 (2016), Pagination: 1456-1464Abstract
The central nervous system and particularly the brain was designed to control the life cycle of a living being. With increasing size and sophistication, in mammals, the brain became capable of exercising significant control over life. In Homo sapiens the brain became significantly powerful and capable of comprehension beyond survival needs with visualization, formal thought and longterm memory. Here, we trace the rise of the power of the brains of the Homo sapiens and its capability to comprehend the three spatial dimensions as well as time. By tracing the evolution of technology over the last millennium and particularly the late arrival of astronomy, evolution of the formal thinking process in humans will be discussed in a follow up paper. We will trace the extensive use of this new faculty by humans to comprehend the working of the universe.Keywords
Astronomy and Comprehension, Evolution of Mind, Evolution of Thought, Human Intelligence, Primate and Human Brain.References
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- Evolution of Science II:Insights into Working of Nature
Abstract Views :220 |
PDF Views:66
Authors
Affiliations
1 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400 005, IN
1 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400 005, IN
Source
Current Science, Vol 111, No 9 (2016), Pagination: 1465-1472Abstract
We attempt to provide a comprehensive model for evolution of science across millennia, taking into account the contribution of intellectual traditions, cultural value systems and increasing sophistication of humans in their study of nature. We also briefly discuss the role of technology and its interplay in the evolution of science. We identify five primary approaches to the study of nature, namely, ad hoc formulations, religious approach, pragmatic approach, axiomatic approach and the logicbased approach. Each of these approaches has had its prime periods and has contributed significantly to human understanding of nature and has also overlapped within a society, playing a central role over human evolution at some stage. We surmise that the currently dominant axiomatic method will reach its limit due to its complexity and may never be fully formalized. We suggest that future progress of science will be more logic-based, where we will use experimentation and simulations, rather than axiomatic firmness, to test our understanding of nature.Keywords
Evolution of Science, Science and Society, Understanding Science.References
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Abstract Views :292 |
PDF Views:67
Authors
Mayank N. Vahia
1,
Pankaj Kumar
2,
Abhijeet Bhogale
3,
D. C. Kothari
4,
Sundeep Chopra
2,
Vasant Shinde
5,
Nilesh Jadhav
5,
Ranvir Shastri
6
Affiliations
1 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400 005, IN
2 Inter University Accelerator Centre, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, Near Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 067, IN
3 National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Mumbai 400 098, IN
4 Department of Physics, National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Mumbai 400 098
5 Deccan College, Yerawada, Pune 411 006, IN
6 Haryana Department of Archaeology and Museums, Sector 12A, Panchkula 160 016, IN
1 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400 005, IN
2 Inter University Accelerator Centre, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, Near Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 067, IN
3 National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Mumbai 400 098, IN
4 Department of Physics, National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Mumbai 400 098
5 Deccan College, Yerawada, Pune 411 006, IN
6 Haryana Department of Archaeology and Museums, Sector 12A, Panchkula 160 016, IN