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Aug-27-2009
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Introduction
Unhindered access to historical information is one of most significant applications of digital technology. By instantly spreading news and other information IT has limited abilities of politically motivated entities to control and censor information dissemination.
A problem with promoters of the concept of adhering to or reverting to medieval and pre-medieval practices is that they may be naive and ignorant of impacts of evolution on human activity and behavior. Christian belief of creationism and Sunni Muslims who insist on following the "people of the example - Muhammad and the community leaders" may be politically motivated. Ignoring human rights abuses and clashes of civilization radicals among religious authorities of Church and Sunni Mosques, especially those dominated by Salafi/Wahabi/Deobandi sects of Islam claim the world changed for better by people living according to their Church/Mosque prescribed norms.
A look at the theories of evolution offers an insight on why the idea of reverting to past for a utopian world is inconsistent with human nature of thinking, creativity and innovation.
Part I identifies two scientific theories of evolution that have withstood tests of time. It introduces the Sankhya system of evolution of human behavior that was conceptualized by 7th - 6th century BC and later incorporated in to the Hindu religion, especially in the Vedanta sect (8th century AD), after incorporating the concept of paramapurusha or God (purusha and paramapurusha were made synonymous with spirit, atman, paramattama and purushottama).
Evolution
Some Christians believe in Creationism. Muslims and Christians who believe that their scriptures were revealed and not linked to pre-existing knowledge essentially are in denial that the evolutionary changes are a part of life. They are either naive, ignorant of or refuse to accept Darwin"s theory of Evolution (19th century) and also that of the Sankhya system (7th-6th BC) of evolution of human behavior.
Evolution stimulates thinking, creativity and innovation. Thinking of solutions in terms of future, rather than just the present or our past unlocks the imagination and energizes people. It is an absurd belief that returning to medieval or pre-medieval Semitic Arab tribal practices will restore glory of Islam and Islamic way of life in 21st century dominated by scientific and technological breakthroughs of last couple of centuries.
Darwin (1809-82), a scientist with a theory of evolution accounted for transformations of all species from lower to higher forms found in nature over ages.
The Sankhya (or Samkhya) philosophy ("enumeration" philosophy) is a theory of evolution of human behaviors and it was proposed by Kapila and passed down for about a thousand year before it was recorded as Ishvara Krishna"s Karika (3rd century AD). An introduction to the Sankhya System (doctrine/philosophy) in a very easy to understand prose for layman is available in a book, "The Gospel of Selfless Action or The Gita According to Gandhi" by Mahadev Desai.
The Sankhya system with scientific mooring originally explained how life cycle events of sex, conception, birth, growth and death are responsible to our existence on earth. The guna (qualities or modes of behavior) theory is a part of Sankhya system and it explains observed infinite variety in human behavior as a complex result of three gunas acting simultaneously during any actions from birth to end of life.
According to the Kapila"s Sankhya system, matter (prakriti) exists without any creator having created it. But, it is inert unless activated by the motive power (purusha, atma, spirit, etc). Kapila"s system does not reconcile with the modern science that matter and motive powers are products of absolute energy (e=mc2). The Kapila"s Sankhya is not theistic as it assumes independent existence of both matter and motive power to begin with. The concepts of independent existence of prakriti and purusha introduced dvaita or dualism beliefs in Hinduism. The universe in the Kapila system is not looked upon as the creation of a Supreme creator.
Vyasa composed the Gita (Bhagvadgita or Immortal Song) in 6th century and it is revered by most Hindus as gospel of Hinduism. The Gita linked mind and matter to Absolute Brahman reducing duality of Kapila"s Sankhya to Absolute singularity (advaita), which according to modern science is responsible for cosmic creation. This innovation of the Gita brought the Sankhya system in compliance with the law of physics (e=mc2). It also paved for later incorporation of all elements of the Sankhya doctrine in to the Advaita (non-dualism) Vedanta by Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 AD).
Two factors offer modern western culture a unique perspective on the Sankhya philosophy.
. Factor #1: Modern world in general has science and technology orientation. We understand the world in a way that was not possible for ancient people. The similarity of certain Sankhya concepts to modern sciences is striking. For example, the Kapila"s Sankhya doctrine of existent effects is similar to the law of physics: that matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Like modern methods, Kapila used evidence and reason in the acquisition of knowledge. These teachings stand in stark contrast to the reliance on the divine authority of the Vedas that was so prevalent in ancient India. The fact that Samkhya system is ancient, dating back to more than 2,500 years makes it all the more intriguing.
. Factor #2: The followers of Kapila"s Sankhya system are not inhibited by religious constraints of Vedas and Hinduism. The keepers of Indian philosophical thought are the priests and Brahmins. They are bound by their belief in the supernatural origin, the authority of Vedas and they generally reject any philosophy in conflict with their beliefs. They modified Kapila"s Sankha system to incorporate it in Hinduism.
The Kapila"s Sankhya system with a significant modification is a part of the Advaita Vedanta, a Hindu sect. It is also responsible for introducing the dvaita concepts into Hinduism, the Dvaita Hinduism. The modification of Kapila"s Sankhya is necessary to accommodate the Hindu religious beliefs in supernatural origin of religion but it does not diminish the scientific origins and mooring of the Kapila"s Sankhya system.
Buddhism, an offshoot of Vedic Hinduism incorporated the guna theory of Kapila"s Sankhya system into the body of its practices for virtuous living as explained below.
Buddhism
The dvaita concepts of Sankhya were incorporated into Buddhism. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices variously described as religious, spiritual and philosophical. These are all based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (c 563 BC to 483 BC), commonly known as the Buddha. Buddha means an awakened teacher and Gautama became Buddha after he attained spiritual awakening or enlightenment through meditation. Buddha shared his insights with masses to help sentient or conscious beings to understand the true nature of cycle of suffering and rebirth.
Buddhism advocates a karma system, which mimics the guna theory of the Sankhya system. Buddhism is renowned for Middle Path teachings, including principles of virtuous living (sila) and non-violence (ahimsa).
Sila are overall principles of ethical behavior and moral codes. One of several levels of sila, "basic morality" is the five training rules to live a better life for happiness, without worries, and for meditating well:
1. To refrain from taking life (non-violence towards sentient life forms)
2. To refrain from taking what is not yours (theft is unacceptable)
3. To refrain from sensual (including sexual) misconduct
4. To refrain from lying (always speak truth)
5. To refrain from getting intoxicated; specifically, avoid drugs and alcohol.
(To be continued;
Part II: Nonviolence and Warlordism and
Part III: Warlordism to Democracy)
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References & Notes:
An unabridged version with references and notes of the three part Evolution and Political Paradigms is available upon request from the author
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