Materialism

Science and Theosophy vs Scientific Materialism

Science is classically part of the trilogy that theosophy is defined to be a study of. While Religion and philosophy are as old as man himself, science is the neophyte in this trisome. Science is also is the fastest growing member. Today it is increasingly difficult for a religio-philosopher to understand the developments of science, as the level of mathematics and the technicalities involved have gone to a completely new height. Its probably only a general-fun level of science that a non- scientist can comprehend today. For instance even if one didn’t understand how a Michio Kaku calculates that all subatomic particles are strings of various vibrations and formulates the String Theory, its entertaining to imagine  that strings of energy constitute everything around us.

So perhaps its no longer easy for this particular trilogy to coexist unless theoretical physicists take up theosophy in a big way! Even yet theosophists tend to somehow project science as part of their oeuvre, sometimes when a theory like the Multiverse universe or a wormhole  comes along it seems to validate a theosophic  vision.  From the time of Annie Besant and CW Leadbeater forming the periodic table through clairvoyance, today science has come a very long way. Its no longer that easy to make large scale connections between these subjects without sounding presumptious.

What  is scientific materialism?- the increase of materialism due to better scientific innovations? then one can argue that every new invention and discovery that man has ever made, has the potential of being misused. The most obvious and oft repeated example is that of Einstein’s great discovery of mass and energy interconvertability which lead to the atomic bomb left a huge blemish on man’s collective consciousness.

Science’s  greatest gift in the last decade or so has been the internet. There are at least 8 billion web pages on the internet as of april 2012. A gigantic free library and resource center. It has lead to the social networking sites like Facebook which boasts as of dec2011 as having nearly 800 million users, which is 11% of the earth’s population.  While a lot of nefarious activities do happen on such we sites, these can also be sources of finding help and support for various people and issues, spreading of information and receiving valuable and varied advice.

Hence while one may need to procure certain ‘material’ comforts (a decent interface and net connection) to use these innovations, to hanker for such cannot be deemed negative any more than hankering for a decent education. The question only is the same as the atom bomb question, do we make good use of technology and use it to increase the ills of our society and country. This is left to each individual’s choice.  What is morally right, is known to all. We each come to this earth with a certain feeling that we must do some good while we are here. That drives us to go on doing what we do. What is the right thing to do is within each of us, and we let that inner voice be heard, we will make good use of all the gifts of science.

Hence in my opinion there is no conflict between science ,theosophy and scientific materialism. I could well read the Bhagvadgita on my slim ipad and feel enthralled at the words of divine wisdom.I also know that wanting the latest gadget, the latest medical treatment, or the fastest mode of transport or communication, is not a crime and only improves my life. What good I do with this improvement to my life, is upto me. How I spread these blessings around and how my simple daily wage worker at home might benefit with the technological enhancement is entirely a choice of ethics.