What is the role of science in Krishna consciousness?
Answer Podcast
Transcript
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What is the role of science in Krishna consciousness? Science can help us overcome the confirmation bias.
Science basically helps us to find material explanations for material phenomena. So, for example, when Newton saw the fruit pot, he wanted to know what made this fruit pot. So, he also believed in God.
So, ultimately it’s God making the fruit pot. But he wanted a material explanation. So, he looked for the material explanation.
Okay, there is a principle of gravity. So, basically, when things happen in our life, there is triple level causation. One is, there is an immediate cause.
Okay, I got malaria. Why did I get the malaria? Because a mosquito bit me. Science can tell me, this mosquito has bit you and this is the medicine you should take and get cured.
This is a whole complex concept. I’ll just explain very briefly here. But, in my house, there are five members staying.
Why did the mosquito bite me only? Why not others? Science can’t explain why the mosquito uses free will like that. So, there is a second level causation. Second level causation is our own karma.
So, I had the karma to get malaria. My other members in the family didn’t have that karma. That’s why the mosquito bit me and not someone else.
So, science offers explanation at one level of reality. But reality has multiple levels. So, we go address the level of karma, that is.
And that is second level causation. Ultimately, Krishna is the cause of all causes. Without Krishna’s sanction, nothing will happen.
So, if a material problem has a material solution, we accept that solution through science. Now, if I got a fracture, I go to a doctor and take the treatment. Now, if I find that I need some vehicle for moving from one place to another, I get the vehicle from science.
So, science, we use primarily as an operational tool for functioning in this world. But as a source of knowledge for answering life’s ultimate questions. Now, what is the purpose of my life? How am I meant to live my life so that I can achieve that purpose? How can I change my inner world so that I can progress towards that purpose in my life? That is something which only Krishna consciousness, spirituality in general can help us to.
So, I have a whole seminar on science and spirituality, how they can go together. In summary, I put it that science can make things better. By understanding material explanations to material phenomena, it can make things in the outer world better.
Science can make things better. Spirituality can make people better. Thank you.