Consciousness and Science: A Non-Dual Perspective on the Theology-Science Dialogue

• Published in: Interchange (Toronto. 1984) Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 113 - 128
• Main Authors: Sriraman, Bharath, Benesch, Walter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.05.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Consciousness; Differences; Dualism; Education; Educational Philosophy; Educational Policy and Politics; Greece; Indians; Non-linear models; Odontology; Philosophy; Principals; Reductionism; Religion; Sciences; Social Class; Social sciences; Synthesis; Theology; Vedas; Consciousness; Vedas; Upanishads; Hindu philosophy; Advaita-Vedanta; Dualism
• ISSN: 0826-4805; 1573-1790
• DOI: 10.1007/s10780-013-9188-9

In modern science, the synthesis of “nature/mind” in observation, experiment, and explanation, especially in physics and biology increasingly reveal a non-linear totality in which subject, object, and situation have become inseparable. This raises the interesting ontological question of the true nature of reality? Western science as seen in its evolution from Socratic Greece has tried to understand the world by objectifying it, resulting in dualistic dilemmas. Indian science, as seen in its evolution from the Vedic times (1500–500 bc ) has tried to understand the world by subjectifying our consciousness of reality. Within the Hindu tradition, the Advaita - Vedanta school of philosophy offers possibilities for resolving not only the Cartesian dilemma but also a solution to the nature of difference in a non-dualistic totality. We also present the Advaita - Vedanta principle of superimposition as a useful approach to modern physical and social science, which have been increasingly forced to reject the absolute reductionism and dualism of classical differences between subject and object.