My Experiments with philosophy

My life story has many unexpected twists and turns, which reveals the specific intentions of almighty, the reality of universe. I was born on 03 June 1953 as the eldest son of Aleykutty and P. L. George belonging to Puthankulam family of Thodupuzha Taluk in Kerala state, south India. Father was a teacher of Malayalam language. I am a member of Roman Catholic Church of Christianity.

Starting life in the underdeveloped Idukki district of Kerala state, I studied in Malayalam medium schools. In the primary and middle levels, I was very poor in mathematics. But during the year of eighth standard I had a sudden interest in Geometry, particularly in proving theorems. It kindled my aptitude for mathematics, which in coming years helped to expand my brain power. I passed SSLC in 1968 meritoriously, having placed at fiftieth rank in the all-Kerala list. I received the national merit scholarship also.

I graduated securing second rank in B.Sc. (Mathematics Main) of 1973 Batch of Kerala University. It is worth mentioning that I got hundred percent marks in all Mathematics papers.

My postgraduate education was in the Department of Statistics, Kariavattam Campus, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. I secured first rank in M.Sc (Statistics) of 1975 Batch. I continued in the same Department for newly started M.Phil (Statistics) course and came out in 1976 with A Grade.

My official life started when I joined Reserve Bank of India in Mumbai on 28-09-1976. Then I switched over to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and worked at its Mumbai Head Office as well as the regional offices at Thiruvananthapuram and Pune during 1983-2001. During these twenty-five years, I could acquire professional experience by conducting various studies in connection with official work including inspection of cooperative banks.

During my official life in Thiruvananthapuram, my ambition of part-time research in economics was revived. With the guidance of Professor M. A. Oommen, I prepared an article titled Productivity of Capital Investment on Marine Fishing Crafts of Kerala and got it published in July-Sept. 1993 issue of Productivity, Journal of the National Productivity council, New Delhi. On the basis of this article, I was selected in February, 1993 for research in Dept. of Economics at Kariavattam Campus of the University of Kerala. But the PhD program could not be started due to the immediate transfer of my official posting to Pune Regional Office. Also, my guide expired sadly due to heart attack in the next month.

After reaching Pune, I could get the support of a guide for part-time economic research in the Mahe centre of Pondicherry University, but I was denied permission on account of the lack of concerned post-graduation.

Major highlight of my thought process, in the next phase, is the deviation from the ongoing study of economic themes. The treatment of systems in the books of Fritjof Capra triggered my critical mind and it became the turning point in my intellectual pursuit. Many philosophical questions came up in my mind: What is the philosophy about the interconnected but layered world? How can we compare mysticism with the alternative thoughts about reality? These questions agitated me and I decided to take up the study of philosophy as a new venture. I enlarged my reading by purchasing many useful books in philosophy, social sciences and related subjects from exhibitions and book stalls. My mathematical and logical mind became suitable for creative thinking on the ultimate issues, though I did not have formal education in philosophy.

In this context, I got an intuitive idea that the production function model of economics would give an innovative method to study the interconnected behaviour of opposite entities as well as social systems. However, for articulating this proposal, I have to study philosophical doctrines seriously. Due to an innovative flash of thought, I realised that the X-Y coordinate system of analytical geometry can represent the dialectical existence of complementary opposites like matter energy, space-time and body-mind. It became the key to start my philosophical project, which was named System Philosophy.

Gradually I realized that the routine of official job is a hindrance to my progress in philosophical research. Then I voluntarily retired from NABARD service on 29-9-2001 for engaging with the research, writing and publication in the field of philosophy. By that time, I have had purchased over thousand academic books that serve as authentic references for full time creative work, while remaining in the modest facilities of home.

My deep interest in the production function model of economics generated a novel idea that the X-Y coordinate model, which I called system model, is efficient for depicting the reality of universe as well as our social systems. It is the first time that a mathematical model is employed in philosophy for explaining its abstract concepts.

During the period of twenty years 2004-24, I have published eleven books as shown below.

MY OTHER ENGAGEMENTS IN A NUT SHELL

•  participated during 2004-2005 in the program of the School of People’s Economics, conducted by the NGO called VICHARA at Mavelikara, Kerala. As a result, I prepared an article titled From Modern Science to System Philosophy and published it in the June 2005 issue of the journal OMEGA of ISR Aluva, Kerala. Later, I have got published three more articles regarding System Philosophy in the journal OMEGA

• I joined a research program during 2005-2008 under the Association of Science, Society and Religion (ASSR) of Jnanadeep Vidya Peedh (Papel Seminary), Pune. Another noteworthy point is that, in 2009, I got a guide for doing PhD research in philosophy topic, in the Tilak university of Pune. I submitted application to the university. When I reached there for interview, it was unfortunately postponed due to the sudden death of the father of Registrar.

• Now it is a fact that I have made three attempts to do PhD research — in Thiruvananthapuram, Pondicherry and Pune universities — but could not start officially due to certain special and strange reasons.

• I presented a paper titled Whitehead and particle-wave duality: A critical appraisal from the perspective of System Philosophy in the 7th International Whitehead Conference, January 5–9, 2009 held at Dharmaram College, Bangalore.

• I presented weekly Radio talk on various subjects regularly for six months in 2015-16.

• I have some letters to Editor regarding social issues published in news papers and periodicals of Malayalam language.

•  I got an article titled Ayurvedathinte Jnana Sithantham (Theory of Knowledge of Ayurveda) published in the May &June 2017 issues of OUSHADHAM Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organization of India (AMMOI), Thrissur, Kerala.

• Further, recently I have some posts pertaining to philosophical ideas in my account at www.facebook.com/LukeGeorge.

• I regularly participate in seminars and discussions concerned with science, religion, philosophy and various social issues.