Guest guest Posted September 22, 1999 Report Share Posted September 22, 1999 Ram Chandran <chandran Advaitin List <advaitin > Wednesday, September 22, 1999 2:41 PM Eastern Mysticism and Science >Ram Chandran <chandran >Robert Oppenheimer the chief scientist of the atomic experiment, blinded >by the awesome fireball of the first nuclear explosion quotes the above >verse as a comparison. By comparing the dazzling might of the first >atomic blast to the infinite spiritual power witnessed fifty centuries >ago in Bhagavad-gita, Oppenheimer points out the beginning of a new >quest for scientific truth in Eastern Mysticism. Years later, >reflecting on the importance of Eastern thought, he wrote, "The general >notions about human understanding which are illustrated by discoveries >in atomic physics are not wholly unheard of or new. Even in our own >culture they have some history, but in Eastern thought they hold a more >considerable and central place." Evidently Erwin Schroedinger went even further in this direction. At the end of his essay 'What Is Life?' he quotes liberally from the Upanishads, and expresses doubts that empirical science will ever come to a fundamental understanding of consciousness. Quite a distinction between the humble musings of a great scientist, versus the narrow reductionist dogma that is promoted by many lesser ones. Robert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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