Science, Faith, and India
Lessons from the Deepest Beliefs and Opinions of Indian Scientists
While secular, Indian scientists appreciate the divine in their worldview. What might they bring to global discussions on science and religion?
In the West, the advent of modern science, technology, and secular philosophy challenged the religious underpinnings of society and shook the superstitious elements of earlier cultural systems. As these modern ideas take root around the world, similar fall out has been anticipated. However, according to the study released by the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture (ISSSC), this may not be the case.
The Faith of Scientists in India
The study “Worldviews and Opinions of Scientists in India” polled about 1,100 Indian scientists representative of the four million intellectual elite currently employed in technical research, production, and education.
While three-quarters of the respondents indicated that they were “secular” or “somewhat secular” in their outlook, the reigning definition of secularism was that of a tolerance of diverging beliefs rather than ambivalence toward religious or spiritual beliefs.
A strong majority was also willing to identify itself as “spiritual.” 66% of the respondents identified themselves as Hindus, a strong majority approved of degree programs in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, and nearly half subscribed to the efficacy of prayer.
Nevertheless, the views of these scientists is hardly conservative. Most of those surveyed were unconcerned about research conducted on traditionally sacred animals (cows and pigs), and a strong majority expressed no strong ethical issues with stem cell research and genetic engineering.
Translating the Science-Religion Divide
These results indicate that scientists in India are generally comfortable with their socio-religious heritage, whereas in America and Europe science and religion are frequently portrayed as antithetical. It seems that, at least India, response to Western scientific methods has been to synthesize these philosophies and practices with indigenous wisdom.
In the West, dialogue between religion and science is conducted on ground cleared by Enlightenment philosophy. Western religion has a strong rationalistic underpinning, a feature shared by scientific inquiry. By contrast, the cultures of the East have an altogether different outlook. There are no easy answers or long established patterns for the interface of religion and science. Each interaction is part of a gradually unfolding learning process--and it seems the spiritual is retaining a respectable reputation.
As the tide of globalism continues to rise, these new voices from India promise to contribute fascinating ideas about the relationship between the human spirit and the scientific endeavor. Besides challenging basic materialistic assumptions of Western philosophy, the spiritually dynamic worldview of Indian scientists will encourage bold, honest reflection on the relevant spiritual insights of Western faith. A new era of interdisciplinary dialogue may be approaching.
References
Keysar, Arlela and Kosmin, Barry. “Worldview and Opinions of Scientists.” June, 2008.
