What's on the Pedestal?

On the Source of Knowledge

The second principle of secularism states that “Science is the available Providence of man". So in this secularized society, Science is on the pedestal. In his book Ethics for the New Millennium, the Dalai Lama further explores this issue. He wrote that, “Many people, believing that science has “disproved religion,” make the further assumption that because there appears to be no final evidence for any spiritual authority, morality itself must be a matter of individual preference.”(Dalai Lama 10)

Paul Cozby, a Psychology professor at Calstate Fullerton, in his book, Methods in Behavioral Research, he explains the different methods of acquiring knowledge. These methods include: tenacity, intuition, authority, faith, rationalism, empiricism and the scientific method. (Cozby Chapter 1) He then goes on to say,“some beliefs cannot be tested hence are beyond the realm of science. In science, however, ideas must be evaluated on basis of available evidence that can used to support or refute ideas.” (Cozby 6) So even though all the various methods of acquiring knowledge listed above are different from each other and are all valid to some extent, science has been exalted while the other methods have been dismissed as “primitive" methods.

And as secularization, materialism and empiricism are increasingly emphasized and as science is deified we ignore what the Dalai Lama refers to as our “inner dimension,” our spirits. The secular ground that has been created, prevalent in most American classrooms, leaves no room for the spiritual being.

The term ‘spiritual’ means “relating to God and relating to a person’s beliefs as opposed to his or her physical or material needs.”(Oxford dictionaries) It also means having the nature of ‘spirit’ which is the non-physical part of a person that is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.” (Oxford dictionaries) Since the spirit is the seat of moral nature it is also the seat of ethics. As science and technology advances, the influence of religion is weakening in America and there is a decline in ethics.“Science has replaced religion as the final source of knowledge...yet it does not address issues of how to lead a life a moral life.” (Dalai Lama 10) David Orr also expresses disapproval and states that,“Science and technology cannot solve all our problems, but a “spiritual renewal” is also necessary.” (Orr 59)

Concluding thoughts:

• Science and technology fails to satisfy.
• There's something being excluded: Our spirits. Our spiritual side is left unattended.

(This has been a side dish in the series entitled: Reforming America, Reforming Education. There's more courses to come. Stay tuned...)

Watch:

Michael Sherman on the Colbert Report: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/391554/july-11-2011/michael-shermer