NIP (2015.11.09) — Aureliano “Aure” Tan, Jr who is an alumnus and was a former faculty member of the then Physics Department, College of Arts and Sciences, UP Diliman presented a philosophical view of physics during the NIP Symposium held last November 9, 2015 at the Intel Center for Science Innovation. In his presentation, Aure initially recalled the unrest during the period right before martial law, including the faculty and students making molotov cocktails at the Palma Hall pavilions to defend the University against the government militia forces. He then discussed his views on three implicit assumptions in doing science: 1) ordered world, 2) consilience of knowledge, and 3) closed systems. He elucidated on the importance of transpositional logic in weeding out science from other ways of knowing.
(Photo 1) Aureliano Tan sharing his philosophical views of physics during the NIP Symposium held last November 9, 2015 at the NIP Auditorium.
(Photo 2) Aureliano Tan exchanging ideas with NIP colleagues during the open forum.
(Photo 3) NIP Director Roland Sarmago presenting the token of appreciation to Aureliano Tan for his talk.
During the open forum, Aure said that as each physicist lives in different set of circumstances, he or she should exercise the freedom to create a path where one can best hone and apply one’s skills, talents and interests. For the physics students, he recommended that, if possible, they should take a philosophy subject, particularly symbolic logic which he believes to be a key enabling tool for learning science. He emphasized on the two realms of ideas: scientific ideas and belief systems. Here he remarked that what is nonphysical cannot be put in an equation, that physicists should not make a leap from the palpable to the divine.
After the open forum, NIP Director Roland Sarmago thanked Aure for his illuminating viewpoints that provided philosophical perspectives of physics, science and life, in general. Director Sarmago expressed that NIP doors are always open for alumni to visit, share ideas with physicists and students and rekindle old ties. The talk is the latest of the NIP Symposium Series which is aimed at increasing awareness, enhancing breadth and tickling the interest of the physics community. Below are the abstract of the talk and a biographic profile of the speaker.
Full Title: “Physics, God, and Nationalism – The Tumultuous Years 1967-1972, One Physicist’s Perspective”
Abstract:
The physicists task is not to make pronouncements on that which is
transcendent, because such is beyond the realm of the physicists
inquiry. The physicists task is to observe, posit, theorize, and make
appropriate judgments on the physical. This does not imply that physical
theories will not be colored by ones views concerning the shape,
texture, and color of reality. It’s just that the conclusions arrived at
cannot make the leap from the palpable to the Divine.
In a similar vein, the nationalist of the late 60’s and early 70’s went beyond the advocacy of national interest into making an enemy of religion, un-discerningly marching under the banner of Marxist ideology hook, line, and sinker, to the extent of making philosophical pronouncements such as “matter is the only reality”. Both the physicist and the nationalist would be well advised to stay within their spheres of inquiry and advocacy, respectively, and, as physicists or nationalists, resist making statements concerning the Transcendent, that cannot possibly, philosophically, logically, physically, or otherwise, be proved.
About the speaker
Aurelian “Aure” Tan Jr. (Procurement Specialist at ExxonMobil, Houston,
Texas, USA). Aure was born in Cavite in 1951. After the family moved to
Quezon City, he attended primary school at the Philippine Normal College
until 1963, then Manila Science High School until 1967. Upon receiving
an NSDB scholarship, he went to study Physics at UP Diliman from
1967-1971 and became Instructor at UP Diliman from 1971 to 1972. While
teaching, he enrolled in graduate level courses in Physics and
Philosophy.
From 1973-1975, Aure was involved in missions work in the slum areas of Pasay and Maricaban, the former having been gutted by fire previously. From 1976-1979, he worked toward a degree in Divinity, majoring in the study of Biblical Greek and Hebrew, which he obtained from London University in 1979.
After returning to the Philippines and not finding gainful occupation, Aure went to the US to study Geophysics at Stanford University where he obtained a Masters degree in 1983. After working in the oil industry as a Research Geophysicist, and various positions as programmer, computer systems administrator, and licensing specialist in other companies, Aure landed a job with Exxon Mobil Corporation as a contracts negotiator in 2000. Prior to working for Exxon, Aure also obtained an M.B.A. from the University of California at Irvine.
In between the various jobs and his current position, Aure obtained several patents in the area of digital identity, privacy, and security.