The Power of Unity

The Power of Unity

1991 11 November 6-7 The Power of Unity (602) Tycho Brahe, the Danish astronomer, was born in Knudstrup in 1546 and died in 1601 in Prague. He was a contemporary of the German astronomer, Johannes Kepler, who was born near Wurtemburg in 1571 and died there in 1630. Although both these men were seriously engaged in astronomical research, neither of them on his own could make any headway.

Their research was hindered by one common factor – neither of them had a complete mastery over all aspects of astronomy. Tycho Brahe had done extensive observation work, which he meticulously recorded until he had a huge collection of data. But a prerequisite for success in astronomical studies is a knowledge of arithmetic. And that was the very point on which Tycho Brahe was weakest. He was thus unable to relate in mathematical terms what he had observed in the heavens.

On the other hand, Kepler was no expert in the observation of the universe. Although the telescope was already in existence, he was never able to use it to advantage, so that the sum total of his observation work was negligible. His speciality was the field of arithmetic. His mathematical deductions regarding the universe were, therefore, of great value.

Tycho Brahe, however, had serious differences with Kepler, the latter having upbraided him in a letter’ for being a hypocrite. He nevertheless showed great magnanimity towards Kepler, managing to keep his temper with him, although irascible by nature himself. 1bis was because he was convinced in the end that the best person to inherit his acquired knowledge would be Kepler and no other. He therefore decided to ignore Kepler’s invective, and in 1601, he handed over all his valuable research papers to him free of cost.

Once Kepler bad acquired all of Tycho Brahe’s records of his observations, he was able to make good his own shortcomings. Now he devoted all his mathematical genius to the correlation of Brahe’s work. This resulted in the formation of three laws which are known as ‘Kepler’s laws of Planetary Motion’. 1. The planets move about the sun in ellipses, at one focus of which the sun is situated. 2. The radius vector joining each planet with the sun describes equal areas in equal times. 3. The ratio of the square of the planet’s year to the cube of the planet s mean distance from the sun is the same for all planets. It was these laws which paved the way for Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) to discover the force of gravity.

This clearly shows that the secret of success in this world is the pooling of diverse talents and a willingness to cooperate with others. Since everyone has his limitations, it is impossible in most cases to accomplish big things single-handedly. Big achievements become possible when a number of people with different skills come together to strive towards a single objective. There can be no truly great undertakings in this world without collective effort.

But collective effort is only possible when people are prepared to sink their differences. Unity in diversity has to ‘be the rule.

Differences of opinion are natural. They will exist in spite of the best intentions. It is hardly possible to avoid them. The only solution to this problem is for people to resolve to come together despite their differences. In the larger interests of the people, self-interest must be sacrificed. For the sake of greater issues, the smaller ones must be ignored. Personal aspirations must give way before the achievement of a higher goal.

This calls for real courage and broad-mindedness, without which no great plans can ever be translated into reality.