Duality in physical sciences and beyond

Abstract

An extended meaning of duality is suggested in the context of development of major themes in physical sciences since Newton. In such a generalization,five distinct aspects of duality are sought to be identified and illustrated through concrete examples drawn from various physical concepts, old and new. These are (i) reciprocity, (ii) parallelism, (iii) alternative formulation, (iv) unification and (v) measurement incompatibility. Bohr's view of duality and the Copenhagen Interpretation are discussed briefly in this context. Finally, duality aspects beyond physics are briefly touched upon, the philosophical link being provided by Bohr's Complementarity Principle on the one hand, and recent attempts (notably by Capra) to draw suggestive parallels between modern science and Eastern mysticism on the other.