LIMITATION OF SCIENCE - A
SCEINCE, In general, studies, the Nature i.e. studies and analyses the phenomena going on (or occurring) in and
around us. Based on the analyses, it enunciates certain LAWS, in terms of some statements and in some cases, puts
it in mathematical formulation.
With the help of such Laws and formulations , some tools , machines and contrivances have been developed which
have changed the face of the world -------This change , in general , has been very fruitful to mankind but some
others have proved to be very detrimental.
Science provides ‘tools’, but it CANNOT provide ‘guidance’ to mankind. This point is on the basis of social aspect.
Now, we discuss,certain aspects on the basis of the established LAWS of science and in the light of Logic.
All the LAWS of science analyze and explain as to HOW a phenomenon occurs in the Nature -------it CANNOT answer
as to WHY does it occur in the particular way observed. Thus, Gravitational Law explains HOW two masses kept at a
distance are attracted with a force described by the famous formula F = G(.m 1m2 /r2).But it CANNOT answer , WHY it
attracts and not repel and WHY it follows this formula . ……..Thus science answers HOW but does not answer WHY.
In the parlance of Logic it can be said that LAWS of science cannot be deduced by
methods of logical deduction, nor can it be invented ---------it can only be observed in the nature, and analyzed and
explained.
There are other things science cannot explain such as WHY distribution of electrons in various orbits round the
nucleus of an element characterize the physical and chemical properties of that elements.
Why H2 (Hydrogen ) with two electrons is a combustible material , why Oxygen O 2 is a material helping the
combustion. But combination of Hydrogen and oxygen becomes a thing helping in extinguishing a combustion.Why?
A) Speed of light can never be crossed.
b) The Absolute Zero (- 2730 K) can never be reached ---------------these are barriers , stated by science itself.
c) The Laws of Thermodynamics puts barrier to the efficiency of any machine that it can never reach 100 %
(Efficiency, η = (( Q1 – Q2) / Q1) =1 – Q2 / Q1-------where the heat output
cannot be zero, according to Law of Thermodynamics.ie Q 2 ≠ 0,Thus an Engine , being supplied with 100 Jules of
petrol can never give workoutput of 100 j ; there must be some unutilized Q 2 heat output.
d) The stars can never be seen with naked eyes at their exact Locations.Stars have speeds roughly from 50, 000
km/hr to 5 Lakh km/ hr . The nearest to Earth , star is prima century 4 ½ light year distant ; by the time , light
emitting from it reach to us in 4½ years , it moves to another position with its high speed . ( we cannot see the
things in Future but there are certain things of the past which can be seen. ----- these are stars whatever we are
seeing in the heavens are ‘ pictures ‘ of the past.
Laws of Thermodynamics are one of the most important laws of science. They indicate many aspects which lead to
open new windows to understand the physical and meta- physical nature of the world.
1> It leads to know that most of the processes occurring in nature are IRREVERSIBLE.
2> Irreversibility leads to increase of entropy, the measure of the disorder of the world.
3> It leads to the fact that Energy cannot be fully utilized; thus there must be some unavailable energy
left. With passage of time, unavailable energy of the world is increasing and hence entropy of the
universe is increasing, This further leads to a leads to a law , sometime called , Law of degradation of
Energy of the universe . This leads to a scientific proof that one day this world has to perish.
4> The law of Thermodynamics indicates that TIME is Irreversible, the arrow of time is unidirectional, and
proceeding from one event to another but never reverses back. Can science ever reverse it back? it
cannot.
Now we come to a peculiar aspect of science -----we may call it ‘ mysteries of science’;
In spite of all advances till now, there are many things which stand in the
face of science as UNSOLVED. For example take ‘ ENERGY’ ; all forms of it known till now;’ gravitational pull’
‘Electromagnetic waves’ ‘Light’ etc. Add to it all the LAWS known in various fields of science. Can we ever say why,
after all why,a Law functions in the particular way described ?Thus electric Current flows when a conductor moves
in a magnetic field in a particular manner? Andwhy?
The Laws and various Energies became operative the time the universe was created. Who could know that such and
such Laws and Energies will be needed in such and such situations? That too in a very sophisticated measured
manner.This you can comprehend from the fact that the rate of Expansion of the Universe is so well calculated that
had it been slightly more ,the whole universe would scatter,had it been slightly less ,whole universe would collapse.
All these are just MYSTERIES to us; -----------In the parlance of the Quran all these come under the
purview of (MUTASHABIHAT) As Quran tells us there are many things which we cannot comprehend.
)ح مِنْ أَ ْم ِر َر ِّبي َو َما أُوتِي ُتم ِّمن ا ْل ِع ْل ِم إِالَّ َقلِيل ُّ وح ُق ِل
ُ الرو ُّ َو َي ْسأَلُو َن َك َع ِن
ِ الر
AND THEY will ask thee about [the nature of] divine inspiration. Say: "This inspiration [comes] at my Sustainer's behest;
and [you cannot understand its nature, O men, since] you have been granted very little of [real] knowledge.
ون ِب َشيْ ٍء مِّنْ عِ ْل ِم ِه إِالَّ ِب َما َشاء ُ َوالَ ُيح
َ ِيط
Whereas they cannot attain to aught of His knowledge save that which He wills [them to attain]. (2:255)
To understand and explain the above described mysteries of science, the scientist have expressed their helplessness,
we quote them in the following ……………………………….
“They do not attempt to answer questions relating to an Original Cause ---------i.e. where the law of the universe
cause from or how they came in to being (modern theories of the universe p. 197. )
“If we ask Why (to understand) ………. We enter in to the territory of metaphysics -------the scientist at all events will
not attempt an answer …….. WE MUST NOT GO ON TO ASK WHY “ ( Frontiers of Astronomy ,p. 342)
The universe ------- as all material things --- must have a beginning, scientists theoretically reduce the
universe to a primeval atom or cloudy of gas. But where such a mammoths atom or clouds of gas might have come
from is mystery .Again , scientist cannot say that such a mystery will be solved in future by more advanced scientists
, as it is quite evident ; such a mystery can never be solved by physical instruments.
Harlow shaply : “ where came these atoms of hydrogen ( which was present in the very beginning )
………………. That is perhaps a question for metaphysics .the origin of origins is beyond astronomy. It is perhaps
beyond philosophy in the realum of the unknowable to us .” (view from Distant star , Harlow shapley p.47)
We humans, no matter how brilliant, cannot know . we weren’t there at the time, the expansion started. The
beginning occurred BEFORE the known laws of physics that govern the entire universe were in existence; before
matter and energy were there; ------------------the knowledge of beginning depends on REVELATION.
”We need not try to trace history back before this event , because the universe , and indeed the time itself ,
did not then exist .”(The mystery of the Expanding universe p. 111-12).
“Every theory of the creation of the universe rests ultimately on the prior assumption that something was
already in existence”.(The Universe and Dr Einstein:
Lincoln Barnett p 104-5-6)
Conclusion
No doubt Allah created man with knowledge (2:31-allama Adama asma kullaha) but there is a limit of this
bestowed knowledge----(2:255- ون ِب َشيْ ٍء مِّنْ عِ ْل ِم ِه إِالَّ ِب َما َشاء ُ َوالَ ُيحthey cannot attain to aught of His knowledge save
َ ِيط
that which He wills [them to attain]. And it is a very little knowledge that has been given as quoted above in
(17:85)We cannot comprehend beyond a limit .the questions regarding the origin of universe cannot be answered
if you Reject a Creator God. This is the missing element in all theories discussed.
