Quantum physics gave credence to the ancient Chinese view of the world. The sun’s magnetic field is generated by electrical currents acting as a ‘magnetic dynamo’ inside the sun. On a magnetic level, they form a seamless continuum. The word qi has been variously translated as vital force, ether, cosmic breath, spirit, and matter-energy.įigure 4: The macrocosmos and the microcosmos.

The magnetic tension between them is governed by qi (or ch’i), one of the most important notions in Chinese culture. In Chinese cosmology, north is yin and south is yang.

When used to determine the north-south axis of the Earth, the magnetic needle will briefly oscillate and then settle at the point where it is perfectly aligned with the Earth’s polarity. The magnetic compass uses a magnetized needle. The sundial was, of course, far older, but there only a shadow moved, not part of the instrument itself.” “The magnetic compass,” Sinologist Joseph Needham wrote, “is the oldest representative of all those dials and pointer-readings which play so great a part in modern science. The discovery of the lodestone led to one of China’s most important inventions: the magnetic compass. In Chinese cosmology, north is yin, south is yang. Others complained that Capra had neglected the latest developments in quantum physics, the convoluted debate about the standard atomic model and Einstein’s Relativity Theory.įigure 2: Chinese magnetic ‘south-pointer,’ the predecessor of the magnetic compass and the prototype of many scientific instruments. Some argued that Capra used vague accidental similarities of language to show deeper connections between quantum physics and Eastern mystical thought. His book also raised awareness of the fact that quantum-physics pioneers like Bohr, Schrodinger and Heisenberg were fascinated by Eastern spiritual traditions.īut Capra was also criticized by members of the quantum-physics community. Capra described the parallels between the ancient Chinese notion of Tao and the subatomic world of particles revealed by quantum physics.Ĭapra’s book opened the door to both quantum physics and Eastern mysticism for millions of people. In 1975, the American physicist Fitjof Capra published the first edition of his best-selling book The Tao of Physics. Science does not need mysticism and mysticism does not need science, but man needs both. Revisiting ‘The Tao of Physics’ – Asia Times Close Search for:

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