A Spiritual Interpretation of Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement: Part 2

The wisdom behind different units of measurements for the same and for different quantities, and the different instruments used to measure them


We use different scales and units of measurements to measure different quantities, and as such we also use different instruments in measuring these different quantities. For example, the length of a book is measured in centimetres or metres, and the instrument used to measure it is the metre rule. The thickness of a few pieces of paper is measured in micrometers, and we use a micrometer screw gauge to measure this. We do not measure the length of a book using a micrometer screw gauge because the anvils and spindels would not fit the entire length of a book; we say that the length of the book is beyond the limits of the micrometer screw gauge. Likewise, it seems absurd for us to measure the thickness of pieces of paper using a metre rule too. Similarly, when we measure length, we use either a micrometer screw gauge or a metre rule, depending on the scale of the measurement. We do not use a beam balance or a stopwatch to measure length; that would be the most absurd thing to do; an instrument that is totally out of context.

By contemplating on this, we realise that in order for us to measure and evaluate a thing, we need to use the correct scale and the correct instrument, or else we would find our measurements absurd to perform. We can apply the same rule when we measure the intellectual and spiritual worth of a person and his works; we need to use the correct scale and correct instrument to determine the rank and place of this particular person.

Unfortunately, today we see a lot of people with limited abilities and experiences trying to measure and evaluate something that is beyond their minds and knowledge to comprehend. Under this absurd notion of humanism, intellectual 'freedom' and critical inquiry, they measure the intellectual worth of  people beyond their limited capabilities and find them unsatisfactory to their standards. Their minds operate within a micrometer scale and their knowledge of things are like micrometer screw gauges, yet they are measuring things beyond this 'scale'. Even more absurd would be those who measure things using instruments that are totally out of context. Some of the ridiculous examples we would find would be attempts by some to measure religion and spirituality using the instruments of anthropology and sociology, when the former is concerned about how to prepare for the Hereafter and the latter concerns itself about this worldly existence. Another example would be the discussion of happiness from a neurological perspective, when happiness is meant to be discussed within the context of ethics and morality. The former deals with molecules and particles in the brain, while the latter deals with Man's ultimate purpose in life!

We need to understand, that everything has a scale of measurement, and as such must be measured using the correct instruments. It would be unjust for the intellectual ability of a moron to be evaluated and tested against post-graduate university standards. Likewise, when we approach honourable men of knowledge, it would be unjust to evaluate them with our 'micrometer scale' minds; we need to increase the 'scale' of our own minds first before we evaluate their intellectual worth, using the correct instruments of measure. Men of knowledge require our utmost respect; this is justice.