Verified by 
Key points
- According to ancient philosophies, the universe was built to be knowable and understandable.
- Our minds have the capacity and desire to know our universe and our own consciousness.
- We live in a participatory universe in which we are eager, capable students.
The qualities of symmetry, beauty, and wisdom are integral to our universe and ourselves, acting as catalysts that aid and facilitate our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it. As suggested by Vedic, Buddhist, and Ancient Greek philosophies, these principles were intentionally woven into the fabric of reality, assisting in our exploration and comprehension of the universe and ourselves. Einstein's assertion, “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility...The fact that it is comprehensible is a miracle,”1 echoes this perspective.
Symmetry, Beauty, and Wisdom: A Vedic, Buddhist, and Ancient Greek Perspective
History shows that these three qualities have long been described as guiding principles. Ancient Vedic scriptures written between 700 and 400 B.C.E. underscore the seamless, purposeful integration of symmetry, beauty, and wisdom within our universe. Vedic tradition proposes that the cosmos is inherently flawless, symmetric, aesthetically gratifying, and analogically designed, as evident in the following quotes:
- “This universe is created by the Lord Brahma, who is perfect in knowledge and who creates everything by His own potency, in a perfect and symmetrical manner.”2
- “The Lord has created this universe in a very beautiful and orderly way.”3
- “As is the human body, so is the cosmic body. As is the human mind, so is the cosmic mind. As is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm. As is the atom, so is the universe.”4
Similarly, Buddhist teachings over two thousand years ago affirmed the inherent symmetry, beauty, and wisdom in our universe, emphasizing the indivisibility of wisdom from the cosmos:
- “The universe is a manifestation of the Buddha's wisdom and is therefore perfect in its symmetry and beauty.”5
- “The universe is not separate from wisdom; wisdom is not separate from the universe.”6
The Ancient Greeks perceived symmetry as integral to beauty, truth, and wisdom, shaping their philosophical ideologies and scientific insights, as summarized by Plato over 1600 years ago in his dialogues: “Beauty is the splendor of truth”9 and “Beauty leads to the eternal.”10
Understanding Through Symmetry: A Cognitive Perspective
Symmetry, marked by a balanced configuration of elements, considerably influences our cognitive processing. The human mind naturally and inherently engages in analogical reasoning, drawing comparisons and identifying similarities between different entities. According to Vedic, Buddhist, and Ancient Greek thought, this was because it was built that way. The symmetry embedded in our environment aids us in forming analogies, thereby enhancing our understanding of complex phenomena.
Symmetry embodies not just order and balance but is also fundamental to truth, logic, and reason. In the realms of science and mathematics, symmetry plays a pivotal role, contributing to notable theories and discoveries. As the noted British mathematician Marcus du Sautoy articulates, “Symmetry is a delicate manifestation of the balance in the structure of our universe, and it is embedded in the laws of physics.”7 Esteemed physicist Richard Feynman further underscores the importance of symmetry in nature, writing that “symmetry is a great guiding principle in nature.”8 Both Vedic and Buddhist philosophies agree that this is because our universe and the laws that govern it were created symmetrically so that we could comprehend and know it: “As is the human mind, so is the cosmic mind.”
Our emotional understanding of reality is significantly affected by beauty, which is associated with the qualities of symmetry, harmony, balance, and proportion. Empirical studies have demonstrated our natural attraction towards symmetry and beauty, providing insights into the neurobiology behind our appreciation of those qualities. Neuroimaging studies show that exposure to beautiful stimuli, such as art, music, and natural landscapes, activates the reward centers in our brain, releasing dopamine and other pleasure-related neurotransmitters. Symmetry has been found to play a crucial role in our visual processing and appreciation of beauty, extending beyond natural settings to the realms of art and architecture. For example, research has shown that people tend to prefer symmetrical compositions in art and that symmetrically arranged objects are more aesthetically pleasing than randomly arranged objects.11
Beyond Darwinian Evolution: Our Intrinsic Quest for Knowledge
According to Vedic and Buddhist philosophies, our universe was not only designed to be symmetrical and beautiful, but we, as integral parts of it, were also imbued with the capacity and desire to recognize and seek these qualities. Darwinian evolution posits that we only develop traits enhancing our survival and reproductive capabilities. However, the Vedic perspective offers a more encompassing view of evolution, suggesting an intelligently designed universe that stimulates our quest for knowledge about it and ourselves.
This philosophy implies that our attraction to symmetry and beauty involves an interplay between ourselves and our universe that propels us forward in our evolutionary journey. It contends that Darwinian evolution was an initial phase of an intelligently designed process, to be followed by a stage of expanded comprehension of our universe and ourselves. In this perspective, the acquisition of wisdom about the universe and self-awareness are two interconnected facets of our evolutionary progression. Theoretical physicist John Wheeler spoke to this dynamic interaction when he said, “The universe does not exist 'out there,' independent of us. We are inescapably involved in bringing about that which appears to be happening. We are not only observers. We are participators.”12
The Interplay of Symmetry, Beauty, and Wisdom: A Unified Perspective
The intricate dance of symmetry, beauty, and wisdom attracts us and gives us pleasure, guiding us forward to know our universe and our own consciousness. Our journey reaches far beyond the boundaries of mere survival and genetic propagation to include the pursuit of beauty, truth, and wisdom. The inherent presence of symmetry, beauty, and wisdom woven into the fabric of our universe and ourselves suggests that our role is not confined to just survival of the fittest within this expansive cosmos. Instead, we are active participants in a grand design that promises a future of escalating beauty and wisdom.
References
[1] Einstein, A. (1936). Physics and Reality. Journal of the Franklin Institute, 221(3), 313-347. doi: 10.1016/s0016-0032(36)91047-5
[2] Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.11
[3] Srimad Bhagavatam 8.3.19
[4] Maitri Upanishad 6.34
[5] Lotus Sutra, Chapter 2, Section 3 (Burton Watson, Trans.). (1993). The Lotus Sutra. Columbia University Press.
[6] Hui-neng. (9th century CE). The Platform Sutra: The Zen Teaching of Hui-neng (Red Pine, Trans.). (2006). Counterpoint. (p. 57).
[7] Du Sautoy, M. (2008). Symmetry: A journey into the patterns of nature. HarperCollins Publishers. P.3.
[8] Feynman, R. P. (1985). QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter. Princeton University Press. (p. 129).
[9] Plato. Theaetetus. 155d. Translated by John McDowell. Penguin Classics, 2005.
[10] Plato. (n.d.). Symposium (B. Jowett, Trans.). (1894).
[11] McManus, I. C., Cook, R., & Hunt, A. (2010). Beyond the golden section and normative aesthetics: Why do individuals differ so much in their aesthetic preferences for rectangles? Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 4(3), 113–126.
[12] As quoted in Barrow, John D., and Frank J. Tipler. The Anthropic Cosmological Principle. Oxford University Press, 1986. p. 208.
