In this essay I explore the possible influence of Chinese and African thought on modern science, especially on mathematics and physics. This done by retracing the roots of "European" science from ancient Greece onwards, pointing out the context in which it arose and the typical characteristics this has led to, and then comparing these with some leading ideas and contexts in Chinese and African philosophy. A major difference turns out to be the typically "European" emphasis on individuation, against a participatory or interactive view. I explain what this difference could mean for mathematical physics, notably for theories like statistical mechanics, general relativity, and quantum (field) theory. The conclusion is that especially the latter could benefit from some more emphasis on interactions as opposed to primary degrees of freedom. As a whole, this essay may also serve as a very brief and first introduction to the contrast between European history and philosophy of science and the specific Chinese and African contexts.
Klaas Landsman
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