The Truth, Science and Politics

The closest translation of the above Sanskrit-sloka from Upanishad, as per my own understanding and ability, can be followed:

“The one who is colourless, motionless, can’t be perceived by sensory organs, omnipresent, unbiased, omniknowledgeable, rootless, indestructible is perceived by knowledgeable!”

I have perceived this description in different ways at different times – Universe, Knowledge, Soul, or The Creator. I visualized it today as an enormous-powerful wave of energy while watching the movie “Oppenheimer”. What can be the most beautiful concept in this world to be surrounded with? THE TRUTH. Science is nothing but digging into the truth, mostly by observation and analyzing patterns around us. Scientists are those who enjoy finding this pattern, unity, and most importantly the higher play of existence. There are not many differences between a philosopher and a scientist. A scientist classified his/her realization with proof for the purpose of further usability.

The moon is parting away from Earth, it takes eight minutes for sunlight to reach us, and the earth- plat is moving constantly. Can we control this as of today? Were we able to solve the wonderful mystery of human life and evaluation which initially looks like a grain in a mother’s womb and eventually becomes a grownup human with DNA, RNA, cells, muscles, organs ? Scientists enjoy these wonders. They reach very high through their knowledge, realization, and finding of truth. Due to that higher vision, they can see a holistic view of the universe, earth, life, society, and humans. Maybe that’s why scientists don’t want to implement their creations for destructive implementation, not because they are all highly moral or soft-hearted but because they know the higher-level truth.

I was extremely enlightened when I found commonalities between scientific and philosophical minds in all over the world when I read about Albert Einstein, Julius Robert Oppenheimer, Niels Bohr, Homi J. Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Jagadish Chandra Bose, C V Raman, Richard Feynman, and many other greatest minds. They were all theoretical physicists. These passionate scientists used to love and enjoy their creations as artists who love their art. J Robert Oppenheimer said, “I need physics more than friends.” A scientific finding can be implemented in both constructive and destructive ways towards humanity. But scientists should not be overburdened with responsibilities for this fact, even though all human beings have social/moral responsibilities towards society being part of a social-contract in this modern civilized society. “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is harmony in the house; when there is harmony in the house, there is order in the nation; when there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” – expressed by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. He once said – “Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.” We can easily feel the stupendous feeling of Richard Feynman by his statement – “Scientific views end in awe and mystery, lost at the edge in uncertainty, but they appear to be so deep and so impressive that the theory that it is all arranged as a stage for God to watch man's struggle for good and evil seems inadequate.”. Is it different what William Shakespeare said – “ All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” It is the realization, derived from pure knowledge, has the charisma to let two different people think alike and speak the truth.

The nature and direction of civilization is ever-changing. Once upon a time human civilization was run by Religion. Politics took the driver's seat in modern countries in the next phase. What’s in the future or we are transitioning to? We have observed that science and technology are driving our society, our countries, our progress, and the fate of our earth. From dusk to dawn, life till death, whatever we are experiencing, and consuming, is related to STEM. Medicine, Space, Energy, transportation, internet, Computer, AI … lists can go on. Fundamental scientific inventions and research started in Europe, mostly in Western Europe in the last few hundred years. Many countries in Asia and Africa were colonized during that timeframe. The United States of America attained this at highest level mainly through the implementation of fundamental science. A lot of progress happened first based on Newtonian theory and the next miraculous discovery is happening based on Einstein or Quantum mechanics. It’s obvious to feel and acknowledge the contribution of science and its implementation towards humanity. Sometimes we feel we are surviving due to the blessing of science. At the same time, we cannot deny or ignore the monstrous impact of STEM. The ability to take life by a bullet, destroy village after village with war arsenals during armed conflict, and implement atomic energy for destruction, should be questionable. Our responsibilities don’t end here. There is a chance that Social media influences, and unethical architecture of artificial intelligence ( AI ), not only can paralyze human thinking but also can raise a political-social disturbance in nations and eventually in the whole blue-planet.

Should an ethical scientist now become a political leader, or president, or prime minister or a public servant? Should we imagine that the lower chamber and upper chamber of the United States Congress or other democratic constitutions be filled with only scientists, engineers, doctors, or researchers? That might be too cheesy or a plebian approach, even though I am not completely eradicating the possibility of it in the distant future.

“Everything is made of atoms.”, “We can imagine that this complicated array of moving things which we constitute “the world” is something like a great chase game being played by the gods, and we are observers of the game. We do not know what the rules of the game are; all we are allowed to do is to watch the playing.” - Richard Feynman expressed. This philosophy will give a sense of neutrality which pragmatically is hard to implement/follow for a king, ruler, or political leader but it’s critical for them to understand that, especially in this modern era. At the same time, they should also acknowledge Aristotle's philosophy – “Justice, therefore, demands that no one should do more ruling than being ruled, but that all should have their turn”. This is not a completely new approach to areas of conflict in the leadership arena. We know from Greek/Roman/world history that the power balance used to be maintained by the equal existence of both king and senate/ scholars.

I have strong hope that many countries have renowned academic institutions that can produce the next generation of public servant or country leader who has a little bit of Feynman, Oppenheimer, and Aristotle. He who can feel the mystery of “Brahma” – the Universe, can make their country a safer place for scientific experiments for the greater causes and can protect scientists from political crucifixion. He who can understand at the end of the day that we share one World. This might be a new framework of diplomacy, international relations, and international politics to retain peace & and stability in a sustainable way.

Reference & acknowledgment:

• Inspired by the movie Oppenheimer and the book “AMERICAN PROMETHEUS THE TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY OF J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER”.

• Inspired by the life and invention of Albert Einstein, Julius Robert Oppenheimer, Niels Bohr, Homi J. Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Jagadish Chandra Bose, C V Raman, Richard Feynman, and many other greatest minds.

• Inspired by William Shakespeare.

• Google for a few quotations.

• Picture - "Per cima" credits Somak Bhattacharya

• Thanks to my husband, Somak Bhattacharya, for empowering me with knowledge of Upanishad and Sanskrit Sloka.