To the philosophers of India, however, Relativity is no new discovery, just as the concept of light years is no matter for astonishment to people used to thinking of time in millions of kalpas, (A kalpa is about 4,320,000 years). The fact that the wise men of India have not been concerned with technological applications of this knowledge arises from the circumstance that technology is but one of innumerable ways of applying it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Philosophers of India view relativity as ancient knowledge focused on time scales, not technological applications like bombs.
- In plain terms
- Ancient Indian wisdom understood vast time scales long ago but did not use that knowledge for technology.
- What can you take from it?
- Knowledge can be applied to many ways, not just technology.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How should knowledge be applied?
- Is technology the only valid use of science?
Another view
The quote assumes ancient Indian knowledge was explicitly concerned with relativity as understood today.
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