The ancient Greek philosopher Democritus had a theory that matter is made up of atoms, which led to the idea that there’s no such thing as spirit or soul. Specifically, Western philosophy is based on a separation between the body and mind (Western philosophies stem from ancient Greek learning).

The only difference is that physicists use scientific experimentation to learn about the world while mystics rely on introspection for their understanding of the universe.ĭespite the fact that Western philosophy and Eastern philosophy are very similar, they’re also different in some ways. Similarly, Eastern mysticism is based on logic as well. Scientists would not make progress without creativity and intuition. Nevertheless, physics also has a rational side. They can get this through meditative states of consciousness. Science is based on rational knowledge while Eastern mystics seek intuitive knowledge that goes beyond intellectual positions or sensory perceptions. For example, both deal with knowledge that is obtained by measuring and quantifying things to classify and analyze material reality. While science and mysticism are clearly distinct, they share some similarities. One key difference is that knowledge can be broken into two types: rational and intuitive. However, there are some important differences between the two. Physics uses math as its language, while mysticism relies on meditation. Both are highly precise disciplines that use different languages to describe the same thing. Modern physics and Eastern mysticism have a lot in common.

Big Idea #1: Western science and Eastern mysticism may have clear differences, but they also share striking similarities. Quantum physics explains that there’s no space without time and vice versa therefore it’s impossible for them to exist independently from each other. The Tao of Physics was written in 1975, but its ideas still resonate with readers today because they explain how Eastern religions see the world as one big system. They both believe that all things are interconnected, even if they’re invisible to our senses. However, when we compare some of the fundamental notions of major Eastern religions with modern science, especially physics, we see many similarities.Įastern religions and quantum physics share a similar view of the world. Western thought is generally more rational, while Eastern thought tends to be more intuitive or spiritually oriented. Science and religion are often considered entirely different concepts. 1-Page Summary of The Tao of Physics Overview

The tao of physics