परमाणुवाद : वैज्ञानिक-दार्शनिक विमर्श

Summary

The text discusses atomism from both scientific and Jain philosophical perspectives. It begins by noting that according to Jainism, atoms are indivisible and cannot be separated from other atoms. The scientific field also has such discussions; Professor Andrade estimated that a single drop of water contains so many atoms that if all the world's men, women, and children counted them at a rate of five per second, day and night, it would take forty million years to complete. Thus, both sides provide ample examples proving the subtle nature of atoms. Jain atomism is ancient, and through scientific discussion and exploration, it has reached from a laborer's hut to world-class laboratories. The progress of atomism has shown its power, nature, and capability to the world. Therefore, it is natural for the general public to wonder what an atom is, what new concepts have emerged in the atomism of thousands of years ago, and what similarities or differences exist between philosophical and scientific views of the atom. In the philosophical world, besides the Vaisheshika school, other Vedic philosophies do not specifically discuss atoms, but Jain philosophy provides a detailed and systematic analysis. Lord Mahavira stated that the universe is made of six substances: medium of motion, medium of rest, space, matter, soul, and time. In Jainism, 'pudgala' is clearly defined as an independent substance synonymous with scientific matter. The atom is a type of pudgala. In science, atomism is considered a Greek contribution, with Democritus as its inventor. He first said the world is a unit of empty space and invisible, indivisible, infinite atoms. All visible and invisible organizations result from the combination and separation of atoms. Democritus's concepts include: matter is discrete, all material bodies are made of solid atoms, atoms are indivisible and indestructible, atoms differ in shape, length, width, and weight, there are a finite number of atom types but infinite atoms of each type, and atoms are constantly moving. From Democritus until the 19th century,