The scientific community and the public at large have been grieved by the sad demise of Stephen Hawking, one of the most brilliant scientists of all time. There are several lessons that the world can derive from Hawking’s life. First, here was an indomitable spirit which surmounted a physically disabling disorder known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and which in most cases would have led a lesser person to just give up on life. But despite this shattering disability, Hawking’s mind maintained a level of brilliance and innovative activity that many even in excellent physical condition would not even have dreamt of. The second aspect of this remarkable scientist’s attributes was his rare ability to take science to the common man.

Hawking’s biggest contribution lies in his ability to show that it was possible to communicate the most complex scientific theories and findings in a manner that even the average layman would be able to make some sense of. He endeavoured to show, for instance, that black holes are the gravitational force of the cosmic reality from which not even light can escape.

By researching into the entire phenomenon of black holes, he was able to derive revolutionary knowledge and formulate startling truths about the universe. Hawking’s work had major implications on relativity and the Big Bang. Hawking’s book, A Brief History of Time, sold over 10 million copies and was translated into over 30 languages.

It is reported that he commented on his book after it had become a bestseller, “I know that the book is difficult. It does not matter too much if people can’t follow all the arguments. They can still get a flavour of the intellectual quest.” Many scientists have neither the patience nor adequate respect for people who may not have anything close to their own level of knowledge, and they, thus, promote a continuation of the gulf between persons of science and the public.

Hawking was confined to a wheelchair for the last several decades, and had to use a voice synthesiser, since he had lost his own ability to speak. It is

particularly important to derive the conclusion so aptly personified by Hawking’s life that mind certainly succeeds over matter.

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