Baba
Science destroying civilization - how?
Namaskar,
Today's world is in a dire situation. One of the main causes is the imbalanced relationship between science and civilization. That is why the Propounder of Prout, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, has issued a grave warning: If the relationship between science and civilization is not addressed - our civilization will be no more.
So first one should understand what is meant by “civilized” and then we can apply that understanding to the right use of science. In essence, when a person’s actions are supported by logic and rationality, then in that sphere of life they are civilised.
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Prout philosophy guides us, "We may call those human acts and behaviour civilized that give evidence of this discriminative judgement, in a great measure." (1)
For instance, if a person is smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco, then that action is uncivilized because it is not supported by rationality and logic. When a person understands the negative repercussions of smoking, then they will refrain from that act. And this same theorem should be applied to the use of science. As a humanity, our use of science should be supported by logic and rationality. Then that use of science will be civilized.
Prout supports science
It is important to note that the teachings of Prout are in favour of the use and development of science.
Prout philosophy says, "It is evident that those who criticize science in reality want to turn the onward current of the Ganges backwards towards it source, which totally contradicts the principles of dynamics." (2)
Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar firmly guides us that the right use of science is a requirement for the growth and sustenance of a healthy human society. That means science must be used in a civilised manner, whereby those scientific inventions are supported by logic, reasoning, and rationality. For instance if science is used to develop a cure for cancer, or to make prosthetic limbs, or for clean energy then that is proper. Those scientific advancements are civilised as they are logical and rational and serve humanity.
Unfortunately, nowadays when materialism and capitalism are at an all-time high, and science is misused leading to the degradation of humanity. For instance, special machines are designed for the heightened production of cocaine, heroin, and other addictive and dangerous narcotics. Those vices cause untold harm to humanity.
Similarly, science is also used for pornography, sex robots, electronic cigarettes, vaping supplies, and synthetic opioids etc. These are all clear-cut evidences how the misuse of scientific advancement is undermining our society.
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Yet, at the same time, social problems like disease, starvation, homelessness, poor schools, etc are rampant and systemic problems in nearly every part of the world. The rational use of science would be to use technological advancements to alleviate these societal ills. Instead, science is mostly used to promote vices like gambling, sensualized cinema, and new alcoholic beverages. And then science is also being used for chemical warfare and other inherently malevolent motives. Such approaches are not supported by rationality so they are uncivilised.
Wielders of science are the problem
Here we must bear in mind that science itself is not the problem, but it is the wielders of science who are at fault. They are using science in ways that are not supported by logic and rationality.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "There is no fault in the development of science. Time is also not to blame. The fault rests with us. Science does not tell us to use nuclear energy in destructive ways. To do so is to use science to establish our animality." (3)
And that takes expression in numerous respects. Whether it be emitting toxins into the air, filling the earth with garbage, where civilization is lacking, then the misuse of science comes to the fore, and society falls. This is the pattern. And that is why that same problem that led to the downfall of Egypt and Greece is knocking on our doorstep today. In the below teaching, the phrase “did not supersede” means that up to that time science was still guided by rationality, but as soon as that rationality was lost and science was unchecked then those countries met their demise.
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Prout philosophy says, "Take, for instance, the history of Egypt and Greece. So long as the scientific progress of these two countries did not supersede civilization, civilization prospered very well. But when the ingredients of enjoyment grew up in abundance, the civilization of both countries got destroyed, because science had occupied a higher position than civilization." (4)
The situation facing us now is dire. There is no shortage of evidence which shows that science is being misused. When this happens, the very existence of that society is threatened.
Ways science used to degrade humanity nowadays
Here are some prevalent ways in materialistic societies that people are losing their humanity due to the misuse of science:
(A) Gambling machines: scientific invention to entice people to gamble and make vice a force in society.
(B) Sex robots and dolls impose lustful, degenerative values on a society riddled by lust and sensuality.
(C) Synthetic opioids are highly addictive drugs that are incredibly strong and have led to countless deaths.
(D) Degrading, violent, and harmful movies & video games pushes the mind toward sensual or abhorrent activities, especially impressionable youths.
(E) Creating debased products / pseudo-culture etc that are against the public welfare
(F) Adulteration of food: adding synthetics or chemicals to ruin the integrity of food.
(G) Chemical warfare / agent orange: Making noxious poisons in the lab solely to harm others.
(H) Electronic gadgets & crude phone apps for alluring baser propensities
(I) Nerve agents to injure & kill people
(J) Medical drugs specifically created and tested to keep the patient sick and addicted, not cured
(K) Machines / products intentionally designed to wear out quickly or become outdated so consumers are forced to spend more money to buy a new one.
(L) Computer codes to bypass safety and pollution tests for cars etc
(M) Harm animals for food production by adversely affecting their glands such as keeping cows in a perpetual state of lactation etc.
(N) Creation of hormones to lure and attract animals towards a particular spot where hunters await and kill them
(O) Bumpstock to turn a gun into an AK-47 type of automatic assault firearm for mass murder
(P) Introduction and production of wide-ranging items that are harmful to bodily health and mind
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The above is a short list of ways science is misused nowadays. The aforementioned items indicate how science is employed without the support of rationality and logic, thereby leading to the harm, degradation, and destruction of humanity.
Solution: moral review of science
The question then is, how to escape this predicament. One of the best ways is to implement restrictions and stipulations regarding the use of science. Just as we have child safety regulations and laws regarding the use of the internet by minors, we should have similar rules in place to ensure the use of science is supported by logic and rationality. A board is needed that aims to promote science for the welfare of society. Just as parents create guidelines aimed for the welfare of the child, similarly we need benefactors at the helm who can create guidelines for the use of science. That will be a big boon for our human family.
A society that is able to bring science into sentient use will bring happiness and welfare to all: Sarvajanahita'rtham' sarvajanasukha'rtham'. Then science will be used to wipe out disease, minimize our toiling in mundane affairs and grant us lots of time for higher pursuits like the fine arts and sadhana. That is Prout’s vision for the use of science.
Thus science itself is not antithetical to the development of our human society. Rather it is an integral component. Without science we will be forever stuck in the dark ages. When the high advancement of science is guided by rationality, then that will be a great era for humanity.
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Conclusion
Prout philosophy teaches us that science is very important. But science should be controlled by rational and moral people. Science should not be misused in harming others, self-indulgences, or anything which is detrimental and dangerous for the society. That type of research and development should be prohibited. But, unfortunately, nowadays science is misused. In so-called developed countries human beings are destroying themselves.
In so-called advanced, materialistic nations, science is used to harm oneself or others. This leads to serious problems: drug addiction, mental disease, sexual indulgence, pseudo-culture, and other negative habits. By this way the whole society is surging headlong towards self-destruction. The key point is that science should be controlled by moralists whereby the use of science is grounded in rationality.
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In Him,
Trinayana
~ In-depth study ~
The cause of today's precarious situation is that the advancement of science has outpaced the development of civilisation. Then science will invariably propel us forward and not into the depths of degradation and destruction as is now happening.
Prout philosophy guides us, "For the sake of human progress, scientific research must always be encouraged, but it is desirable that it should be carried out under the supervision of sadvipras." (5)
Prout philosophy says, "Science should be just like art: science for service and beatitude. Art for service and beatitude, I said; and now I say, science is also for service and beatitude. Science should always be utilized for the proper progress of human society." (6)
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 4, Synthesis and Analysis
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 2, Yajiṋa and Karmaphala
4. Prout in a Nutshell - 6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
5. Prout in a Nutshell - 4, Synthesis and Analysis
6. Prout in a Nutshell - 9, Renaissance in All the Strata of Life
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
“Mor maner kathát́i tumi jáno, maner bhiitare lukiye rayecho…” (Prabhat Samgiita #4902)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, with Your vast Cosmic mind You know each and every thing about me: not only what I do, but what I think also. While hiding in my heart and mind, You go on playing Your divine flute, non-stop.
In your vast mind, there are countless created beings: some white, some black, and all jump and dance in Your rhythm around You. You push some away, and pull others close, granting them a human body and, ultimately, liberation.
My dearmost, my Beloved, Baba You are the jewel of my mental abode. Please don’t remain forgetful about me. I request You to remain along with me all the time, always taking care. Kindly accept my only plea: appear in my mind in Your most attractive mohan form and remain eternally refulgent with Your sweet attraction. Bless me so I can see Your exquisite form in my heart and mind, incessantly. Only this request of mine, please accept…..
Baba, You are my innermost…
== Section: Important Teaching ==
History of ancient, traditional medicines
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Different kinds of metals and non-metals have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Gold, silver, tin and mercury especially have been used since ancient times for medicinal purposes. The famous Ayurvedic medicine makaradhvaja is prepared from a combination of mercury and sulphide. There is no dearth of medicines produced from calcium in homeopathy, allopathy, Unani, Ayurveda, whatever system it may be. Medicines produced from the conch shell, which have generated excitement since ancient times, are actually nothing but calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide."
"The value of the principle shama samaḿ shamayati [similia similibus curantue – “like cures like”] has been understood by human beings since the age of the Mahábhárata, but it was Mahatma Hahnemann who brought it to the scientific level through his system of homeopathy. People realized the value of this principle during the Mahábhárata age from the poison treatment of the poisoned Bhiima. There were considerable advances in Ayurveda in poison research, especially with snake, scorpion, spider and hornet poisons. Within Ayurveda, members of the royal family of Cochin in the state of Kerala were pioneers in this. At one time there was a good deal of individual research into poison treatments. My maternal grandfather, the late Dr. U. M. Basu (allopath) conducted research into the medicinal use of scorpion poison, but he died before his research findings could be properly documented. The science of allopathy does not seem to have made much progress in these treatments, but there are endless opportunities for making progress in this respect." (1)
Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika, Kulya to Kuvela (Discourse 34)
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Not harmful criticism but seeing bright side
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Sulocana” means the man who only sees the bright side of everything, only the positive qualities, only the good side, and not the bad side. Such a person never supports any sort of destructive criticism, rather always constructive criticism. The person who always sees the good side of everything, is “Sulocana” in [the] masculine; in [the] feminine it will be “Sulocaná”. One "a" is to be suffixed to the word.” (1)
In His above guideline, Baba equates “seeing the bright side” with constructive criticism. That means if anyone points out the problem in order to make the situation better, then they are “seeing the bright side.”
For instance, suppose sadhaka X contravenes the code of conduct and indulges in negative things. If sadhaka B points out the problem with the aim of raising the standard of sadhaka X, then sadhaka B is “seeing the bright side”.
All too often some are confused about this. One should know that when pointing out is done in a constructive manner then it is a positive approach. Then they are “seeing the bright side.”
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, One Should Know Everything
== Section 3: Links ==
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