வள்ளுவரின் அறிவியல் தத்துவங்கள்
(VALLUVAR'S SCIENTIFIC PHILOSOPHY)

திருக்குறள் is a classic which has stood the test of time. Valluvar's scientific perceptions are surprisingly modern. They reflect the excellence of Tamil society two thousand years ago.

The four stages of medicine in practice in medical education today were known to Valluvar. He describes them in his குறள். They are learning about diseases; the reasons for these diseases; how these diseases would be cured; and finally what is good for the patient. He also identifies four aspects of medical practice. The first is the patient; second comes the doctor; thirdly we have the nurse; and finally the medicine itself.

Valluvar advises us to eat only that food which agrees with our constitution. We should eat only after digesting our food, when we feel hungry. We should take only the right quantity of food. This will ensure a healthy life free from diseases.

Many interesting scientific ideas about farming are presented by வள்ளுவர். The seventeenth century findings are already known to him. He emphasized the need of water for life; and rain alone is the source of water. He describes in detail how the soil should be enriched. There is no need for manure, The organic waste should be dried up and reduced to a fourth of its quantity. This will ensure a good harvest.

வள்ளுவர் offters us insights in to Botany. He compares the human mind to plants of the lotus type. The lotus and lily always rise with the water level; similarly, people come up in life according to their efforts.

A simile from Biology is aptly used by வள்ளுவர். He is aware of the distinction between vertebrates and invertebrates. The insects are invertebrates; they die if thrown in sunlight. So are the wicked punished by Dharma. One without love suffers like invertebrates. வள்ளுவர் also refers to concepts from soil Chemistry. Just as the plants reveal the nature of the soil, a man's character reveals his birth and ancestry. The principle of reflection in Physics is also known to the poet. Just as a mirror reflects an image, the face is the index of the mind.

In the குறள், வள்ளுவர் assigns the first place to Mathematics or numbers; only the second place is given to writing or the alphabet. He compares Maths to our own eyes.

The scientific approach consists of four stages. They are: Observation, Hypothesis, Test and Result. This idea is brought out in குறள். Whatever may be the nature of an object it is necessary to understand its true essence. This alone constitutes wisdom.

Throughout the குறள் we find scientific notions in the form of advice, concepts, similes and metaphor's Wasn't வள்ளுவர் a great scientist poet.