Understanding Space, Time and Causality : Modern Physics and Ancient Indian Traditions

This book examines issues related to the concepts of space, time and causality in the context of modern physics and ancient Indian traditions. It looks at the similarity and convergence of these concepts of modern physics with those discussed in ancient Indian wisdom. The volume brings the methodologies of empiricism and introspection together to highlight the synergy between these two strands. It discusses wide-ranging themes including the quantum vacuum as ultimate reality, quantum entanglement and metaphysics of relations, identity and individuality, and dark energy and anti-matter as discussed in physics and in Indian philosophical schools like Vedanta, Yoga, Buddhist, Kashmiri Shaivism and Jaina Philosophy.

First of its kind, this book will be an essential read for scholars and researches of philosophy, Indian philosophy, philosophy of science, theoretical physics and social science.

B. V. Sreekantan is Visiting Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, India, and Chairman at Gandhi Centre of Science and Human Values of the Bhavan, Bengaluru, India. He was former Director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India. An experimental physicist, Professor Sreekantan is a fellow of all three science academies in India ― Indian Academy of Science, Indian National Science Academy and National Academy of Science. His areas of research interests include philosophy of sciences, particularly the scientific and philosophical studies on consciousness.

Sisir Roy is Visiting Professor and Senior Homi Bhabha Fellow at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, India. A theoretical physicist, he was former Professor at Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India. His areas of research interests include quantum reality and reality as discussed by various schools of Indian philosophy, including Buddhist ones; quantum entanglement and metaphysics of relations as expounded by Dharmakiri, Bartrahari, Utpalacharya and Pravacandra; bacterial communications and consciousness; and the role of noise in various meditation practices in India.