Mathematics, Astronomy, and Biology in Indian Tradition

Mathematics, Astronomy, and Biology in Indian Tradition
Author: Debi Prasad Chattopadhyaya
Publisher:
Total Pages: 148
Release: 1995
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN:

This Book Is A Critical Exercise In Rediscovering, Recapturing And Reinterpreting The Heritage Of India From A Contemporary Point Of View. This Monograph Is A Collection Of Five Research Papers By Eminent Scholars In The Fields Of Philosophy, Science, History And Culture And The Like Any Other Truly Historical Project It Has An Any Other Truly Historical Project It Has An Implict Futural Orientation.

Cultural Foundations of Mathematics

Cultural Foundations of Mathematics
Author: C. K. Raju
Publisher: Pearson Education India
Total Pages: 536
Release: 2007
Genre: Calculus
ISBN: 9788131708712

The Volume Examines, In Depth, The Implications Of Indian History And Philosophy For Contemporary Mathematics And Science. The Conclusions Challenge Current Formal Mathematics And Its Basis In The Western Dogma That Deduction Is Infallible (Or That It Is Less Fallible Than Induction). The Development Of The Calculus In India, Over A Thousand Years, Is Exhaustively Documented In This Volume, Along With Novel Insights, And Is Related To The Key Sources Of Wealth-Monsoon-Dependent Agriculture And Navigation Required For Overseas Trade - And The Corresponding Requirement Of Timekeeping. Refecting The Usual Double Standard Of Evidence Used To Construct Eurocentric History, A Single, New Standard Of Evidence For Transmissions Is Proposed. Using This, It Is Pointed Out That Jesuits In Cochin, Following The Toledo Model Of Translation, Had Long-Term Opportunity To Transmit Indian Calculus Texts To Europe. The European Navigational Problem Of Determining Latitude, Longitude, And Loxodromes, And The 1582 Gregorian Calendar-Reform, Provided Ample Motivation. The Mathematics In These Earlier Indian Texts Suddenly Starts Appearing In European Works From The Mid-16Th Century Onwards, Providing Compelling Circumstantial Evidence. While The Calculus In India Had Valid Pramana, This Differed From Western Notions Of Proof, And The Indian (Algorismus) Notion Of Number Differed From The European (Abacus) Notion. Hence, Like Their Earlier Difficulties With The Algorismus, Europeans Had Difficulties In Understanding The Calculus, Which, Like Computer Technology, Enhanced The Ability To Calculate, Albeit In A Way Regarded As Epistemologically Insecure. Present-Day Difficulties In Learning Mathematics Are Related, Via Phylogeny Is Ontogeny , To These Historical Difficulties In Assimilating Imported Mathematics. An Appendix Takes Up Further Contemporary Implications Of The New Philosophy Of Mathematics For The Extension Of The Calculus, Which Is Needed To Handle The Infinities Arising In The Study Of Shock Waves And The Renormalization Problem Of Quantum Field Theory.

The Tradition of Astronomy in India

The Tradition of Astronomy in India
Author: B. V. Subbarayappa
Publisher:
Total Pages: 588
Release: 2008
Genre: Astronomy
ISBN:

Illustrations: Numerous Colour Illustrations Description: The volumes of the Project of History of Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization aim to discover the central aspects of India's heritage and present them in an interrelated manner. In spite of their unitary look, these volumes recognize the difference between the areas of material civilization and those of ideational culture. The Project is not being executed by a single group of thinkers, methodologically uniform or ideologically identical in their commitments. Rather, contributions are made by different scholars of diverse ideological persuasions and methodological approaches. The Project is marked by what may be called 'methodological pluralism'. In spite of its primarily historical character, this project, both in its conceptualization and execution, has been shaped by scholars drawn from different disciplines. It is the first time that an endeavour of such unique and comprehensive character has been undertaken to study critically a major world civilization. This Volume endeavours to present the perceptible facets of the tradition of astronomy in India : - the torch-bearers of this tradition and their texts; main characteristics of Indian astronomy; scientific approach to the phenomenon of eclipse; pancanga and its social dimensions including the vrata-s, festivals and other observances; origin of astrological ideas, their seeming links with astronomy and certain contradictions; extensive computations concerning planetary revolutions in a huge cyclic period, mean as well as true positions of planets and associated mathematical aspects. In order to have the narrative undisturbed, the related mathematical astronomy has been given in the Appendices. Computations apart, Indian astronomers were keen observers of the motions of celestial bodies and used several instruments, and this aspect has been dealt with appropriately. The question of transmissions in the early centuries before and after the Christian Era vis-a-vis the originality and endogenous developments of Indian astronomy, has been addressed in an objective manner. Since Islamic astronomy has also fostered its tradition in India for over 500 years, three articles on this have been reproduced in the Appendices. Indian astronomical texts are noted for their mathematical-astronomical scientific terminology which was so standardized that it enabled astronomers (who were separated both in time and space), to articulate and promote this tradition over the centuries, as evidenced by the extensive glossary of technical terms given at the end. It is hoped that this Volume, probably the first of its kind inasmuch as it sheds light on both the scientific and the long tradition of Indian astronomy, will be found useful by scholars and general readers alike.

Environment Evolution and Values

Environment Evolution and Values
Author: D.P. Chattopadhyaya
Publisher: Concept Publishing Company
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2007
Genre: History
ISBN: 9788180693663

This book is mainly concerned with environment evolution and values, -- terms which figure in its very title. The basic underlying concepts of evolution are natural environment highlighted by Lamarck (1744-1829), Heredity and natural selection emphasised by Darwin (1809-1882) and genetic mutation first developed by Mendel (1822-1884). Though these three great life scientists brought to light three main components of biological evolution, these were known and formulated by others for a long time.Nature is ordinarily believed to be a world of facts governed by law of causality and values are said to be rooted in human freedom. The author of this book has paid special attention to the so-called value-fact dualism with special reference to changing theories of evolution, and an attempt has been made to show that the supposed dualism is untenable. This book will be of interest to philosophers, life scientists and social scientists. It will be of interest also to the general readers.

The Great Mathematicians of Bharat

The Great Mathematicians of Bharat
Author: Partha Pratim Ray
Publisher: Rajmangal Prakashan
Total Pages: 685
Release: 2023-12-20
Genre: Architecture
ISBN:

"The Great Mathematicians of Bharat" emerges as a seminal work, aligning perfectly with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the integration and appreciation of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) in contemporary education. This book meticulously documents the rich legacy of India's mathematical geniuses, serving as a crucial resource in rekindling interest and respect for Bharat's profound mathematical traditions. It underscores the symbiotic relationship between cultural ethos and scientific inquiry, highlighting how Indian mathematicians not only contributed to the field of mathematics but also how their work was deeply interwoven with Hindu spiritual and cultural practices. By chronicling the journey from ancient sages to modern masters, the book provides a comprehensive view of the evolution of mathematical thought in Bharat, thus fulfilling NEP 2020's objective of integrating indigenous knowledge with modern academic frameworks. In doing so, it not only educates but also inspires, setting a precedent for future academic endeavours to explore and celebrate India's rich intellectual heritage.

Vedic Physics

Vedic Physics
Author: Keshav Dev Verma
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Total Pages: 326
Release: 2012-01-01
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 8120832701

The present volume on Vedic Physics by Keshav Dev Verma is indeed a unique attempt to interpret the ancient Indian literature by defining various symbols, concepts and terminology occurring in Vedic hymns and other texts. While accepting Maharsi Dayananda's view that Vedas are the repository of all true sciences, the author does examine this statement with a view to test it on the hard rock of truth. Shri Verma has selected the Sankhya-Patanjala system that explains the physical world (Universe) on the basis of Cosmic evolution; the Vaisesika-Nyaya expounds the methodology and elaborates the concepts of physics, chemistry and mechanics. Shri Verma has very systematically tried to interpret the Sankhya aphorisms and concludes that the ultimate ground to which the manifested world can be traced is Prakrti having three attributes-Sattva (existence), energy at rest or Rajas (energy that which is efficient in a phenomenon and is characterised by a tendency to move and overcome any resistance) and Tamas (mass or inertia) which resists the Rajas to do work and also resists Sattva from conscious manifestation.

Aspects of India's International Relations, 1700 to 2000

Aspects of India's International Relations, 1700 to 2000
Author: Jayanta Kumar Ray
Publisher: Pearson Education India
Total Pages: 676
Release: 2007
Genre: India
ISBN: 9788131708347

This Volume Is A Modernist Study Of India'S International Relations, Which Traverses Pre-Colonial, Colonial And Postcolonial Perspectives. Its Fourteen Chapters Discuss Varied Subjects Related To South Asia'S Regional And International Relations, Like: (I) The Institutionalization Of British Paramountcy In India And Its Effect On The Region'S External Relations, As Well As Indigenous Responses To Colonial Rule (Ii) The Influence Of Domestic Variables Upon India'S International Relations (Iii) The Interspersing Of Ethnic, Economic And Religious Factors In The Making Of The British Indian Empire, And Later, Of The Indian State (Iv) The Paradigms Of Nature, Culture, State-Making On The One Hand, And Political Ecology And Cultural Politics Of Natural Resources On The Other (V) The Changing Character Of Foreign Corporate Involvement In India (Vi) The Development Of Science And Technology In India And The Activities Of The Armed Forces In India (Vii) The Fostering Of Formal Arrangements Such As Saarc Or Safta In South Asia And Informal Challenges To India'S Security From Non-State Actors (Viii) The Economic, Political And Cultural Consequences Of Globalization For India During The Imperial-Colonial Phases (Ix) The Evolution, In Creative Writing, Of A Discourse On The World Outside India And On India'S Relationship With It. This Volume Will Be Of Interest To Scholars And Students Of South Asian Studies, History, Political Science And International Relations, And Defence Studies.