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| The Duality Principle Uzma Mazhar © 2002 The term duality as used in our daily life
means the harmony of two opposite and complementary parts that integrate
into a whole. Symmetry and balance in natural phenomena are bound up with
duality. The Quran describes this phenomenon in the
most lucid manner: "And all things have We created in
pairs in order that you may reflect on it." (51:49) It was believed that only animal life was
divided into two genders, masculine and feminine, then this phenomenon of
complementarity was found in plants and vegetation. In fact, this reality
exists in every creation, animate as well as inanimate. The Quranic verses that describe the dual
nature of all created things, uses the term ‘zawjain’ (complementary
pairs) are: 11:40, 13:3, 23:27, 31:10, 36:36, 51:49 and 53:45. The word 'zawjain' is translated into the
English language as 'pairs.' In
scientific literature its meaning is extended to incorporate such concepts
as 'duality', 'complementarity', 'opposites', 'inverses' and several other
concepts reflecting conjugate and/or reciprocal properties. In the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir the following
pairs of creation are mentioned: the heavens and earth, sun and moon,
light and dark, night and day, land and oceans, life and death, heaven and
hell. Ibn Kathir elaborates that, "Every aspect of creation has the
pair characteristic, extending even to the animals and plants. This is in
order that we may reflect and know that Allah, The Creator, is One and
there is nothing that can be associated with Him." Many times the duality principle can be
identified immediately by the terms used, e.g. action-reaction and
inhaling-exhaling. In general, however, terms that are in a dual
relationship cannot be identified without knowing the science behind their
definitions. For example; chlorophyll-hemoglobin, electron-proton,
evaporation-condensation stand in a dual relationship with each other but
their descriptive terms do not disclose that relationship. This “duality principle"
characterizes several laws and operations found in almost all areas of
study, in scientific disciplines and in the social and behavioral
sciences. In Mathematics, addition and subtraction,
multiplication and division, raising to a power and taking roots are dual
operations. Similar principles can be found in Geometry, Algebra and
Calculus. In Physics, action and reaction, attraction
and repulsion, positive and negative charges, North and South Pole of a
magnet are examples of duality. Particle
and wave theories are also dual and/or complementary principles. Light is
both a wave and a particle. Modern day physicists no longer argue about
the complementary characteristic of matter and energy, they accept
duality. Without the opposites of electrons and protons a physical
Universe would not be possible. In Biology the functions of chlorophyll and
hemoglobin, inhaling and exhaling, muscle contraction and extension, birth
and death are known to have opposite functions. In Philosophy and Political Science the
concepts of liberalism and conservatism, thesis vs. antithesis are
opposites and also fall into the dual category. In Psychology this challenge of opposites
presents itself as the root of all problems, with the human being’s
attempt to reconcile between satisfaction and contentment on one hand, and
eliminating suffering and pain on the other.
We are placed in this position of continually having to make
choices. “The satisfaction of our needs, and the choices by which we
attain that satisfaction, constitute our prime motivation. Together they
spur the development of our faculty of reasoning and the understanding of
cause and effect…. So Nature, from the outset, drives us towards the
development of our discriminatory capabilities through the necessity of
having to make choices… This constant flux of attraction and repulsion,
of push and pull, is the essential dynamism upon which everything in this
existence depends and is balanced.” Haeri Understanding duality as an axiom makes it
possible to view human problems in their fullness from several
perspectives. Our study of duality gives a view of the world that is more
comprehensive, organized and unified. Co-operation, co-existence and
collaboration become the focus and not a ‘me against them’ or
‘better than thou’ stance. There is nothing wrong with an electron or
right with a proton - they simply are.
Similarly there is nothing right with a man or wrong with a woman.
Most opposites are relative and observer dependant. An observer who
remains mentally and emotionally blocked cannot see balance and symmetry
of the whole, nor can he appreciate the necessity of both, hence his
insistence on making one better than the other. Opposites as a function of duality are the
basis of the Universe. One cannot exist without the other, nor can we
appreciate one without the other. Would
we be capable of understanding pleasure if we did not experience pain? And the same goes for male & female, happiness &
sadness, health & disease, remembering & forgetting, new &
old, spirit & body, strength & weakness, success & failure,
beauty & ugliness, youth & old age, etc… all expressions of this
complementary duality that works toward forming a complex, inter-related
and beautifully balanced whole. No opposite can be known without its
opposite. References: Haeri, Shaykh Fadhlalla; ‘The Journey of
the Self’ Contact Info: UzmaMazhar@hotmail.com |