science in the third millennium.

[Guest guest]

Professor Dr. Richard Ernst(Switserland):Nobelpricewinner in chemistry in

1999.

Famous article:science in the third millennium.

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“Science and technologie alone cannot solve the problems of the new

millennium.We need additional guidelines for our actions, for the

selection of our research projects and research goals. These guidelines have

to

do with ethics, with philosophy, and with faith.

We do not have to reinvent ethics.Our ethical systems already have a

many thousand years old tradition.They are lasting foundations of human

civilization.These value systems are or have been imbedded in a

liturgical context of very varied forms, ranging from very elementary

animistic

and schamanistic manifestations to highly sophisticated,esoteric and

intellectual edifices[like the Veda’s of ancient India].”

“I am convinced that we all are called to devote part of our efforts

to achieve progress in the direction of establishing a unified ethical

system of values which may serve as a basis for a future beneficial

development of science and society on a global scale.”

“I have found many Indians and Japanese scientists who are perhaps

more mature personalities than can easily be found among western

scientists.But unfortunately,I had to learn that these sages also form a

very small

minority,and the rest tries to imitate our Western superficiality.The

KNOWLEDGE of[their own] historical religions and philosophies is often quite

meager also in Asia,although some superficial traditional rituals may still

be obeyed in their daily life,…”

“What we need is not a new set of dogmatic absolute laws(like

Marx,Talibans,Cultural revolution in China initiated by Mao and

clique),but rather a FLEXIBLE ETHICAL FOUNDATION with very BASIC [PURE]

CONCEPTS which are

not in conflict with more exclusive humanistic traditions(Veda’s

,Bible,Koran,Buddhisme) nor with modern science.”

“I am convinced that the Indian science community has in this regard, a

very essential role to play,India is in a unique position in many respects:

(1)India is the source of some of the most profound schools of thought

of mankind with the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad gita expressing Hindu

philosophy and the Tripitaka summarizing the Buddhist view.Both

philosophical systems with their respect for all beings and expression

of compassion may be fruitful sources for a UNIVERSAL ETHICAL SYSTEM.

(2) India is a universe by itself,not only in numbers of population,

but also in part an ultramodern computerized country, and in other parts

showing all signs of a developing,partly even medieval country with

virtually

all conceivable problems of a traditional society exposed to the influences

of modern industrialism.An ethical system that works in India should work

everywhere else as well.

(3)India has a well developed academic community with a surplus of

highly creative scientists,perhaps with a special inclination towards the

more

theoretical aspects of science and maintaining still a LINK TO THE

ANCIENT INDIAN CULTURE.”

"I am convinced that India could become ONCE AGAIN the cradle of a new

school of thoughts that may significantly influence the fate of the globe

during the third millennium.Perhaps the contributions of India to nuclear

power technology and space science will turn out to be irrelevant, but the

contribution towards a new ethical foundation could be turning the

wheel of history in the proper[balanced ]way.

Quotes from the bestsellerbook" Predictions for the Next Millenium" by david

Kristof and Todd W.Nickerson(1998)………

*Arun Gandhi(Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence):

“Out of the ashes of materialism will rise the spectre of true morality

and meaning of life.There will be greater compassion towards humans and

nature by the year {…}3000.”

*Helmut Schimdt(former german Chancellor):

“The new century would be blessed if all of us would more then

hitherto stress and live up to the moral principle of any human being’s

responsibility.”

*Lech Walesa(1983 Nobel Peace Prize):

“Settling the issues of religious dimensions of man.”

*Phil Collins(famous rock musician):

"We have to learn to understand our fellow man and be considerate of his

beliefs and religion. Without this we will be SELF-DESTRUCTIVE.”

*Hal Prince(Broadway productions producer):

“Our current obsession with technology is a DEAD END-unless the next

Millenium renews our faith in the unknown-the MIRACULOUS MYSTERY OF

MAN’S SOUL.”

*Robert S.Mc Namara(former US secretary of DEFENSE):

“I believe that the indefinite combination of human fallibility and

nuclear weapons will lead to destruction of NATIONS.Therefore I predict the

next millennium will witness either NUCLEAR CATASTROPHE OR the elimination

of nuclear weapons.”

*Steingrimur Hermannssson(Former Prime Minister of Iceland):

“Hopefully,Man will soon enough come to realize that HE WILL NOT SURVIVE on

Earth without a healthy environment and a biological diversity.Hopefully,man

will have the WISDOM AND COURAGE to discontinue the DEVASTATING behaviour

and repair some of the damages that have been made.If not, I fear a

catstrophe.”

*Jerome karle(1985 Nobelprize for Chemistry):

“If humans continue to increase the earth’s population,destroy the

environment and produce children whose lives are devoid of

love,selfrespect,culture and respect for the dignity of all others, we

can expect an increasing loss of quality of life , much suffering and

violence,and a return to dark ages.if these current, self destructive, LARGE

SCALE assaults on our earth and its societies are sufficiently

curtailed,science and technologie and widespread rational thought and ethics

should be able to bring the quality of life to UNPRECEDENTED high levels.”

*PROF.DR Richard Ernst (1999 Nobelprize for Chemistry):

"Hopefully,our present excessive materialistic wealth will be replaced by a

wealth of CULTURAL CREATIVITY AND PRODUCTIVITY.HOWEVER,a self-induced

disaster that wipes out all previous cultural achievements is not

inconceivable either!!!"