#Discussion Time - The Quantum & The Lotus - Quote #1
I've always been an avid reader and always wished that I could discuss things immediately with others after coming into contact with new ideas or perspectives. Unfortunately, that's a dream that's never been realized.
Ummm, pretty sure that's called a book club... It's kind of a thing already.
I know, I know, a book club kind of fills this space but I always wanted to share in the moment as I was being impacted rather than going through the whole story and trying to share everything at the end. I always felt like the content is so much more impactful when it's immediately present rather than trying to have it share space somewhere down the road with everything else. So, I think I'm going to give it a try on Steemit. At the very least I'll be able to use the platform to capture these moments and my thoughts at the time I encounter them and create a kind of personal journal as I explore them.
So without further ado, the name of the book I'm currently reading is called The Quantum & The Lotus. It's basically an interview between two monks/scientists that give their take on how the Buddhist philosophy interprets and exists alongside current scientific beliefs.
I don't adhere to any of the world religions, but I do like to find the pieces in them that resonate as truth for me in my spiritual journey in this reality. It's been an interesting read thus far and I'm enjoying it.
A little context
Right now, in the story they are discussing the correlation between scientific genius and human values. Basically, they are giving examples of people that were brilliant scientists but lacked character or integrity. They're pondering the role of morals and ethics in science and how they manifest in the scientists themselves. They see science as a tool of discovery that should be used from a place of greater perspective and intent.
Here's the part I'd like to discuss
Spirituality, which I see as a process of personal transformation, does not simply complement science. It is a fundamental human need. This is the real problem of the scientific world. Personal transformation is no easy matter, even for people who dedicate their entire energies to it. So if it is seen as having only a secondary importance, the chances of success are even slimmer.
To leave spiritual transformation in the background as a sort of optional extra, when it ought to be a core part of one's existence, throws a shadow over the entire scientific enterprise. Its intentions are unclear, its means often not properly gauged, and its results ambivalent.
Without a fundamentally positive and enlightened motivation the exploration of the limits of the possible inevitably takes precedence over the examination of what is desirable or indispensable.
Some scientists think that their work consists entirely of exploring and discovering, and that they aren't responsible for the use their results are put to. Such a position is a mere illusion, willful blindness, or, at worst, just plain dishonesty. Knowledge gives power, and power requires a sense of responsibility and an idea that we are accountable for the direct or indirect consequences of our actions.
Such an interesting point to bring up the role of morals in science. I can understand how science is viewed simply as mathematical equations and problem solving, but I can also see how science has been used in both beautiful and destructive ways throughout human history. Examples would be putting a man on the moon and developing the atomic bomb.
Should scientist be held accountable for their inventions? That’s a tough one to answer. I think if they develop the invention with good intentions, but it was used for destructive purposes, that is a real tragedy and insult to their contributions. If however, someone intentionally creates something for the purpose of harming another life, then yes I believe they have done something wrong. Even though they were not the one to “pull the trigger” or decide to use the invention, they still made it possible. Makes me think of the chemist who worked for Hitler and developed the gas chambers. Assuming this scientist knew the final intent, I believe they should be held accountable for that.
Interesting, so from your perspective a person's guilt is tied to their intent. So as long as their intent is good, the new knowledge should be uncovered? Einstein for example and the hydrogen bomb. He clearly had good intent but the knowledge that he brought to the world can also be what destroys it.
Should that knowledge have been sought after in the first place? Would it have been if spirituality/personal transformation was the primary focus?
Is it worth stopping unspeakable evil in this moment if you unleash something that could end all of life in the future?
You bring up a good point, but I don’t think we should halt scientific discovery or curiosity simply because it could be used for evil. Once we start going down that line of reasoning, I think we start holding ourselves back as a species.
The problem here doesn’t lie in the invention, but in one humans decision to harm another. I wish we could work on that. I wish we could help evil people to see that harm and destruction is not necessary.
science and spirituality, is totally different path.
Science can be expressed by math and theory.
Spirituality is feeling .
Are they truly totally different paths? In the first sentence above he states this:
So, he comes from the perspective that Spirituality = Process of Personal Transformation. I would say that Science is the pursuit of truth and understanding of the reality of the world around us.
Is it not the interpretation of all the truths and understanding that make up who we are as a person?
For me, I know that my spirituality comes directly from finding the truths in life that line up with what feels right at the core of my being. So in that aspect I would agree that Spirituality is a good amount of feeling and intuition but for me, truth and understanding are an equally important component.
That search for truth has played a direct role in shaping who I am as a person, my personal transformation, if you will, my entire life.
Does it not appear that both Science & Spirituality are inseparably linked?
Hello again.
For this post, I have a reply to only your 3rd question above.
I don't see how we can burden scientists with such final and ultimate responsibility for the fruits or failures of the technology they develop. For instance, Einstein and Oppenheimer had reservations about developing the atomic bomb, but they did so because they believed its use would be the lesser of 2 evils.
In retrospect, can we say that they are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? I'd say not. Not directly, and not really indirectly. The decision to drop the bombs was made by Truman and maybe his advisors.
The issue of the atomic bombs is gray – even if you understand that Japan was about to surrender. Therefore, we cannot paint the issue as black and white, and cannot paint either Einstein or Oppenheimer with the black brush of responsibility or guilt.
However, there are times when the issue is very dark gray. In such cases, those scientists who have a properly functioning moral compass (or those who are not color blind :-) ) can and should decide for themselves whether to work on any given project or for any given government.
They are, after all, human, right? And we should not expect superhuman or transhuman behavior from them. (Although such behavior is always welcome.)
Indeed, this is one of the perfect examples that highlights the critical point in that question. I too agree that you can't hold those in pursuit of knowledge accountable for the actions that result from the use of it. Ultimately, the knowledge itself already exists as a truth of this reality whether we understand it or not. It is just a fact. What we decide to do with knowledge and how we employ it is tied to an individual or group. That action has to be taken, and with every action you take, there is consequence.
Had a good laugh at your last sentence, yes, transhuman behavior is always welcome though not expected!
Insights, discussions, debates, and laughs. Have it all ... on Steemit.
When I saw the title from this post I got immediately attracted to it. Seems the story of my life as well, science and spirituality can be that apart? Because both are the areas I like the most and where I invest more spare time.
I agree that the spirituality is not as taken in consideration as science and it should be. I consider really important to build a good inner to build a better outer. They don't teach us this, we usually learn it when we are grown up and on our own, because something inside of us claims for it.
A person who reaches high level of spirituality is able to understand science in other ways. Tesla, Jung and a lot of really brilliant persons took their time to look into the spiritual zone but this part of their work was put aside. Some were treated as fools when they did.
There is a bad concept surrounding the spiritual area, its still not correct seen, at least not good enough. People should think more about what they feel and don't follow everything they are being told :) listen more to their inner, but we forget how to do that.
My main language is Spanish, I tried to express myself as good as I could. Loved the topic! I also love to share information as you commented at the beginning of the post.
Following you for more and thanks for your time. Cheers!
You would did a great job getting your thoughts across! I would've failed miserably had I tried to communicate my ideas in spanish....
I particularly resonated with this part of your comment
I can completely relate to that something inside wanting to know and understand the spiritual side of things. I feel like that drive has been inside of me for as long as I can remember. It was never satiated by what was being taught or displayed around me though. I had to go out and find what truths made sense and resonated with my core being and on that path searching I learned soooo many things.
That search continues to this day and will continue until my last breath.
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Let's continue exploring :) Thank you for sharing the post.
I agree that your written English is excellent. I used to be an ESL teacher (English as a Second Language),and I know that even carrying on a basic conversation in a second language can be tough. Writing as clearly as you do is a major task, with many difficulties, but you succeed to a great degree.
Keep learning, Keep listening to that inner voice, and keep on Steeming Ahead.
Wow thanks, your message was so kind :) I always liked English, I still retain a bit myself on writing posts but I will, as you all do. Steemit is a really interesting community indeed.
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