All theories must be questioned, says RVG Menon

KOCHI: Knowledge is indivisible. Compartmentalisation of subjects into different streams is done only for convenience. Maths, physics, chemistry, biology, biotechnology, sociology, economics and all other subjects are actually petals of the same flower, believes social activist and rural technology exponent R V G Menon.He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Perspectives on Philosophy of Science’ organised by the Physics and Philosophy departments of Maharaja’s College here on Wednesday.Instead of being confined to a set framework, the scope for a larger vision should be delved into as theories in science are changing rapidly from trends of yesteryears.Using the different theories regarding the earth’s rotation as an example, Prof Menon stated that with every new vision and finding, the quest for knowledge will lead to new avenues. He elaborated that discoveries and questioning existing knowledge alone had led to the change of the circular theory of rotation to elliptical.“The mind should not be confined within any framework but question the very idea of confinement, and not adhere to the rigid divisions of subjects,” he said.Prof Menon also released the book ‘Sankhya Rakshasan’, a translation of HM Enzenberger’s mathematical adventure ‘The Number Devil’, at the seminar. The translation has been done by by Anjali S of the Hindi Department.