Open AccessUsing Mathematical Equations to Communicate and Think About Karma
Author(s) -
Kien H Lim,
Christopher Yakes
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of humanistic mathematics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2159-8118
DOI - 10.5642/jhummath.202101.14
Subject(s) - karma , key (lock) , literal (mathematical logic) , sign (mathematics) , epistemology , computer science , symbol (formal) , sentence , mathematics , psychology , artificial intelligence , philosophy , algorithm , buddhism , mathematical analysis , theology , computer security , programming language
Two equations are presented in this article to communicate a particular understanding of karma. The first equation relates future experiences to past and present actions. Although the equation uses variables and mathematical symbols such as the integral sign and summation symbol, it reads more like a literal translation of an English sentence. Based on the key idea in the first equation, a second equation is then created to highlight the viability of using math to communicate concepts that are not readily quantifiable. Analyzing such equations can stimulate thinking, enhance understanding of spiritual concepts, raise issues, and uncover tensions between our ordinary conceptions of external reality and transcendental aspects of spirituality.