The finitude of human mind

Can the mind of man, which has, as I fully believe been developed from a mind as low as that possessed by the lowest animal, be trusted when it draws such grand conclusions — Charles Darwin

Man’s relentless questions about the mysteries of the cosmos continue raging in every forum and the mystery continues to deepen. Each depth opens into another depth, overwhelming the finite mind. No other question has been discussed so passionately. No other question has caused so much precious blood and so many bitter tears to be shed. No other question has been the object of such intensive thinking by the most illustrious thinkers ranging from Plato to Kant. Yet, this question remains unanswered just as it always has been. If there is one thing on which all scientists agree, it is that they do not and probably never will understand the universe. The advance in knowledge may be reduced to what Einstein described as “extracting one incomprehensible from another incomprehensible”.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “Under each deep opens another deep”. The mind has extraordinary potential but is finite. Given even a thousand years, a single mind cannot grasp the infinite complexities of the world around us. Beyond the circle of man’s reason are events which can hardly be comprehended by the circumscribed scope of its grasping ability. It is in such moments that man has to look inward and open his mind to the inner vision and compass. We may dream big, but must see the world as it is, and do what needs to be done.

We know very little — probably less than one per cent of what can be discovered — about God and fundamental spiritual principles Our five human senses are able to comprehend only a small portion of the mysteries, forces, and spiritual realities surrounding us. According to the modern scientist, Gunther Stent, “Man will never know how the universe began or what is the most fundamental of atomic particles”.

Stent’s statement is correct in the sense that the reasoning power, due to which man is considered a superior animal, is just one among many other skills.

People are always talking about how God is, how heaven is. This will not lead you anywhere, but will only breed hallucinations. The only thing you need to understand is how you are bound to your limitations.

If you understand this and free yourself from these bondages, where you have to go you will anyway go. Until then, whatever you think about it, whatever understanding you derive, whatever analysis you make, is coming from the limited dimension of what you are now.

“Have we known enough of man to think of knowing about God ” asked Confucius. In spite of the enormous strides made by science and the incredible power of our new tools to unravel the secrets of the universe, large and small, we must accept in all humility that our knowledge is still limited.

We cannot even be sure that the vast universe unveiled to us by our telescopes is all that exists.

All this makes us finally conclude with Stephen King, “The universe offers a paradox too great for the finite mind to grasp. As the living brain cannot conceive of a nonliving brain — although it may think it can — the finite mind cannot grasp the infinite. “

Moin Qazi is a well-known banker, author and Islamic researcher. He can be reached at moinqazi123@gmail.com