Volume 1
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Volume 1, December 2002
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About the cover
What is the first manifestation of life on earth? Is it a DNA molecule or a virus? Many researchers in several chemical laboratories around the world work with a variety of molecular concepts to find life's origin. However, all honest and thoughtful scientists will admit that the different molecular paradigms of life, such as, Oparin's model of coacervates, Fox's model of proteinoid microspheres, Cairns-Smith's model of clay as our grandfather, Christian de Duve's thioester model, Miller's electrical discharge reactions to simulate lightening in a so-call primordial gaseous mixture of H2, H2O, NH3 and CH4, are not making any significant progress towards an understanding of how life may have generated on earth.
The incredible improbability of the evolution of a living cell from a cosmic molecular soup against many odds of known laboratory chemical reaction conditions, for example, maintaining an optimum pH, reaction time, proper concentration of reacting molecules, reaction medium (solid or liquid phase), overcoming the thermodynamic barrier, isolation of reaction products, and so on, forces us to consider with utmost seriousness about an alternative paradigm for life. Besides that, the insurmountable difficulty of even imagining how a living cell would be generated from a combination of readymade cellular chemicals, such as, DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, etc., compel thoughtful scientists to look for alternative paradigms beyond the existing molecular paradigms for life. Above all, scientific knowledge cannot overlook the spiritual and moral dimensions of life in order to decide the right human action. Hence, many important scientific research works in the field of study of life's origin by brilliant scientists around the globe may lead to the emergence of a spiritual paradigm of life which is supported by many established spiritual traditions of the world. This is indicated, in a nutshell, by some of the titles on the cover.
The Goal of Science and Scientific Exploration
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada
Savijnanam, Volume 1, pp.1-5
Abstract:
The goal of all kinds of human endeavors including scientific endeavor must be to know the Absolute Truth or God. Humility, which is an essential part of any seeker of spiritual knowledge should also be an integral element of any successful scientific endeavor. Furthermore, today, there is a great need for introducing the science of God on a scientific basis in academic institutions around the world. Science must study the imperishable one, which is the eternal spirit soul. Religion is also a scientific endeavor for it is a scientific study of God. The leaders of human society including scientists cannot neglect this ancient spiritual science because they are directly or indirectly responsible for the conduct of a happy society.
Life and Its Origin
A Dialogue with Werner Arber, Nobel Laureate in Biology
Savijnanam, Volume 1, pp.6-20
Abstract:
Although chemical evolution is presently the predominant view of life and its origin, Professor Arber feels that life could be beyond the assembly of biomolecules. Also, according to Vedanta, life is spiritual and beyond molecules. In this dialogue, some alternative viewpoints on life including the Vedantic view, a spiritual paradigm of life, are discussed. These viewpoints suggest that the molecular paradigms of life are quite insufficient to understand life and its origin. The discussion moves on to the restriction enzyme which is released by a bacterium and cuts the DNA of an invading bacteriophage into pieces, thereby observing that, life displays unique features even at the level of microorganisms. Professor Arber presents a very important argument that mutation is not due to a mistake or an error in replication; rather it is a natural process contrary to the opinion of many other scientists. He further argues that evolution is not occurring on the basis or errors, accidents or the action of selfish genetic elements. The discussion leads towards a cosmic plan in regard to life's origin and it touches upon the need for a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating both the scientific and theistic thoughts in the study of life and its origin.
Life Comes From Life
J.N. Srivastava, Statistician
Savijnanam, Volume 1, pp.21-30
Abstract:
This is the first in a series of articles on the above topic to appear in this journal. In this series, we shall explore the precise meaning of the word ‘life,’ and develop a course of (heuristic) reasoning leading to the assertion that “Life comes from life.” Using the ideas presented here, we should be close to the level where a mathematical formalism could be attempted.
Science is Spiritual
A Dialogue with Karl H. Pribram, Neuropsychologist
Savijnanam, Volume 1, pp.31-44
Abstract:
This dialogue took place between His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami (Dr. T.D. Singh), Director of Bhaktivedanta Institute and President of Vedanta and Science Educational Research Foundation and Professor Karl H. Pribram, Distinguished Research Professor, Georgetown University, and Professor Emeritus, Stanford and Radford Universities on February 8, 2002 in Kolkata, India.
A Comparative Assessment of Scientific and Spiritual Disciplines
E.C.G. Sudarshan, Particle Physicist, University of Texas, Austin
Savijnanam, Volume 1, pp.45-50
Abstract:
Scientific and spiritual disciplines have many common features although there are some differences as well. The present article discusses some of the common features and differences in the two disciplines. The article points out the phobia of the practitioner of one discipline against the other and suggests that the only way to overcome this phobia is to directly experience both, or at least keep company with persons adept in both.
Vedanta and Science - I: Human Life and Evolution of Consciousness
T.D. Singh (Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami), Director, Bhaktivedanta Institute, President, Vedanta and Science Educational Research Foundation
Savijnanam, Volume 1, pp.51-74
Abstract:
An attempt is made to understand the Vedantasutra from a scientific perspective. The first aphorism of the Vedantasutra delineates the prime importance of the human form of life in which consciousness is fully developed. Thus, the human being is qualified to inquire about the nature of Brahman, the Absolute Truth or God. The key to understand the first aphorism is to have a basic knowledge of consciousness and its evolution. This has been elaborated in this article. Consciousness plays a central role in Vedanta. Descartes' pronouncement, “I think, therefore I am” forms a good starting point for a discussion on consciousness. From the Vedantic perspective, the intuitive as well as the conscious feeling, “I am,” is the spiritual self, aham brahmasmi. The author presents the vedantic model for the interaction of consciousness with matter and suggests that the present scientific research and inquiry should be expanded to include knowledge in search of spiritual truth. This will be relevant to the progress of science.