The Philosophy of Interconnectedness in Gandhian Thought and Quantum Mechanics

by 

Narendra Raghunath

Interconnectedness signifies all entities' deep interrelation and mutual dependence, a pivotal theme in Gandhian philosophy and quantum mechanics. Though these fields of thought emerge from entirely different realms—Gandhian philosophy from ethics, spirituality, and political theory, and quantum mechanics from theoretical physics—the notion of interconnectedness offers a profound bridge between them. For Mahatma Gandhi, interconnectedness was a moral and ethical principle, while it manifests as a physical reality in quantum mechanics. This essay will explore the importance of interconnectedness as a philosophical foundation in Gandhian thought and quantum mechanics and how it invites broader reflections on reality, morality, and the universe's structure.

Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy was deeply rooted in the interconnectedness of all living beings, a concept that shaped his ideas about non-violence (ahimsa), truth (Satya), and Swaraj (self-rule). For Gandhi, interconnectedness was not merely a metaphysical idea but a moral principle guiding how individuals should live in harmony with others.

Gandhi's principle of ahimsa or non-violence stems from the belief that all living beings are interconnected, and thus, harm inflicted upon one being reverberates throughout existence. Gandhi held that hurting another individual—whether through violence, exploitation, or indifference—is ultimately harming oneself because all lives are fundamentally linked. According to Gandhi, this interconnectedness extends beyond human relations and includes all sentient beings, reflecting his deep respect for life in its broadest sense. He argued that only by recognizing this oneness can humans foster compassion, reduce conflict, and work toward the collective well-being of society.

Gandhi's satya (truth) concept also reflects his understanding of interconnectedness. For Gandhi, the pursuit of truth was not an individual endeavour but a collective journey, where the welfare of each person was tied to the welfare of others. His idea of Sarvodaya (the upliftment of all) captures this essence: true freedom and prosperity cannot be achieved unless it encompasses the freedom and prosperity of everyone. He believed societal change would only come through recognizing this deep relationality, which links personal ethics to the broader social and political order.

Quantum mechanics, while a scientific domain, touches upon philosophical questions about the nature of reality and the deep interconnectedness of particles. Unlike classical physics, where objects are considered separate and distinct, quantum mechanics reveals that the very fabric of reality is deeply intertwined.

One of the clearest examples of interconnectedness in quantum mechanics is quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where two particles, once linked, remain connected no matter how far apart they are. When an action is performed on one particle, the other responds instantaneously, even across vast distances, suggesting a level of communication or linkage that transcends the classical notion of separateness. This phenomenon undermines the idea of locality in physics and suggests that the universe is non-local and interconnected at a fundamental level. The implications of this are profound, as it challenges our everyday experience of the world as composed of distinct, isolated objects.

Another aspect of interconnectedness in quantum mechanics is the observer effect, which posits that observing a particle can change its state. This suggests that the observer and the observed are inextricably linked, blurring the line between subject and object. The quantum world challenges the notion of objective reality, showing that observation plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of an event.

Though arising from distinct contexts, the philosophy of interconnectedness in Gandhian thought and quantum mechanics points to a shared understanding of reality as inherently relational. Both perspectives challenge the notion of separateness that often underpins our everyday experiences and conceptual frameworks.

In Gandhian philosophy, interconnectedness is moral, spiritual, and social. Gandhi argued that the community's health depends on its members' ethical actions and that true freedom (Swaraj) is only possible when individuals recognize their obligations to others. His constructive programs, such as promoting self-sufficiency in rural India, reflected this principle of mutual interdependence. Just as individuals are connected within society, Gandhi believed that nations are interconnected globally, a relevant principle in today's age of globalization and environmental crisis.

In quantum mechanics, interconnectedness is demonstrated physically, as quantum phenomena like entanglement and the observer effect highlight the fundamental linkage between particles and observers. This challenges traditional Newtonian views of an objective, deterministic universe where entities exist independently.

There is also an intriguing intersection between Gandhian truth and the indeterminacy in quantum mechanics. While Gandhi believed in Satya as an ultimate, unchanging truth, he acknowledged that human understanding of this truth is limited and evolving. Similarly, with principles such as the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, quantum mechanics suggests that certain aspects of reality cannot be fully known. The uncertainty in quantum mechanics is not just a limitation of measurement but a fundamental property of nature, implying that the universe operates in probabilistic rather than deterministic ways.

Gandhi's acknowledgement of the imperfection of human knowledge and quantum theory's recognition of uncertainty leads to a typical humility before the vast complexity of reality. Gandhi's pursuit of truth was coupled with the understanding that humans can only grasp it progressively, and quantum mechanics underscores that complete knowledge of the universe may be beyond reach.

The concept of interconnectedness is foundational to Gandhian philosophy and quantum mechanics, though each approaches it from different angles. Gandhi's interconnectedness is grounded in ethical, social, and spiritual relations, emphasizing the moral imperative to care for others and live harmoniously with nature. Quantum mechanics, on the other hand, reveals interconnectedness at the subatomic level, showing that the universe is a web of relations, not a collection of isolated objects. Both perspectives challenge reductionist and individualistic worldviews, offering a more holistic understanding of reality—whether in moral, social, or physical terms.

The philosophy of interconnectedness is increasingly relevant in today's world, which faces growing political, social, and environmental crises. Whether through Gandhi's ethical lens or the quantum mechanical understanding of reality, recognizing our interdependence can inspire deeper cooperation, compassion, and a commitment to the common good.

References:

• Heisenberg, W. (1958). Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science.
• Gandhi, M. K. (1960). The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Bohm, D. (1980). Wholeness and the Implicate Order.
• Schrödinger, E. (1944). What Is Life? The Physical Aspect of the Living Cell.