Hari OM
In conversation with a friend in recent times, regarding art and science of a discipline, she commented that for that particular thing (archaeology) she also considered there was a large dose of speculation involved.
There are many who say the same with regard to matters spiritual and, indeed, philosophical. Often it is said with a slightly derogatory tone - or even, not that slight!
Hard numbers, physical representations, reproducible experiments are seen as part of the scientific method, as well as logical elimination of things that do not drive the knowledge building forward. Most of those subjects that are deemed as 'science' have their subjective part - the part wherein a thought has to arise as to a possibility of something (the speculation) before it can then be tried in various ways to build first the hypothesis, then perhaps a theory and ultimately, something will occur to prove it all and it becomes confirmed knowledge (or disproves and thus the elimination continues).
There are some sciences where numbers drive everything. Mathematics has something mystical and magical about it - but even that had to be developed from speculation way back in the 'archaeological' times!
To deride something because it cannot be broken down into numerical units and manipulated or represented numerically is to see only one leg of the elephant. Speculation is not a fault. It is a starting point... as long as the one doing the speculation does not get stuck only at that point.
Then, as in Advaita, there must follow robust investigations and the application of logical arguments. All philosophies worth their bargaining salt will stand up to scientific scrutiny. This is especially true when discussing matters Vedantically. Particularly when it is understood that many of the Sanskrit texts discuss matters which would now be termed 'quantum'!
If we at all feel put upon or threatened by finger-pointers and 'scientific egos', we need to have armed ourselves with as much of the knowledge and experience as we can of our philosophy in order to demonstrate our stance. We also have to remember that we are at different points around the elephant and it is quite possible that there will be those who simply cannot get past their point or accept their blindness. Agree to differ and move along.
A powerful piece of advice indeed! (Agree to differ.) I have come across a few instances of encouragement to do my own "science" whether regarding using herbs, meditating, dieting. It truly is important to have that personal perspective of 'how does this work for me.' If others do not agree with it, you simply agree it is what worked for you. I can see that this would apply with philosophy as well.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
DeleteHaving the strength to be able to withdraw without having 'settled score' tkaes some doing at times! But there battles and there are wars... and then there is the peace worth preserving. Yxx
I belong on the side of Little Prince: It is only with the heart one sees clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye or even to reason. I'm sceptical of religious cults for the same reason. They claim absolute truths. But the heart has no absolutes.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
DeleteThere is the emotional heart (which is actually the mind reacting to circumstances) and there is the intellectual heart, which questions, reasons, investigates, assesses and determines. It is the latter to which the Little Prince refers, though many fall to believing it is the former. In both cases, there is a failure to move beyond the physical essence of existence. To gain the best from life we must move out of our base selves and into our transcendence.
Cults are faddish groups with charismatic heads who, despite all fine words, never move beyond the physical either.
I do hope you relise that Advaita Vedanta has no 'head' per se and is a philosophy tried and tested scientifically by countless sages over the millenia. That some now use their learning, twisting for personal gain and manipulation of people, is not a fault if the philosophy, but purely a fault of the egotistical nature of Mankind. Yxx