A Vedic Approach to the 6 Assumptions of Modern Science

(written on July 30, 2019)

1. Nature is orderly, and the laws of nature describe that order.

Nature is orderly, as explained by the assumption stated above. However, the way that the scientists prove that nature is orderly is wrong because it has two main flaws. First of all, the scientists use inductive reasoning with selective evidence to prove these laws, but call them universal, while in actuality there are innumerable laws and energies that govern and maintain the universe. The universe is very complex and as humans, we are very limited. The laws that we have discovered may be true, but they are limited to certain spheres of reference, and there are an infinite amount of laws which we do not even know of. This is because of our process of research. Inductive reasoning is the process of making broad generalizations through small, limited experiments. This process is faulty because what applies to a small group might not apply to the entire universe. Additionally, the entire scientific assumptions are based on selective evidence which is the practice of coming up with conclusions through evidence that is favorable, not necessarily correct. Here is an example of a limited law which has been stated as “universal” due to selective evidence: Newton’s law of Gravity. Newton’s Law of gravity has been observed as universal because scientists have found favorable research which proves that the law works. They have tested the law on a limited number of celestial bodies and have decided through inductive reasoning that since gravity applied to a certain number of planets that it applied to the rest to the universe. However, recently, it has been discovered that Newton’s laws are limited because they do not apply to the quantum realm and objects which move at the speed of light. Hence, the scientists are at fault. The second flaw of the process of the scientists is that they ignore the fact that there is a lawmaker behind everything. Logically, every law needs to have a lawmaker behind it. The scientists think that the universe was created by the Big Bang, but that idea is incorrect. Order cannot be the effect of destruction. Hence, behind the creation and maintenance of the universe is an all-intelligent personality, or Krishna. As per Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.1, Lord Sri Krishna is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the manifested universes.

1. We can know nature through observation.

This statement is incorrect because as human beings we have four common defects. We commit mistakes, we are illusioned, we have a cheating propensity, and lastly, our senses are imperfect. This four defects primarily describe humans as imperfect. So how can the scientists assume that we can know nature through observation? We observe with our senses, and those senses are limited. We cannot see, smell, etc. past a certain point, and this causes us to make mistakes. A simple example: at night we mistake shadows for burglars. If we have such large limitations, we would never ever be able to know nature through observation. It would be a never-ending task. The famous Albert Einstein himself said, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” So then how do we gain perfect knowledge of nature, if not by observation? This is beautifully explained by Srila Prabhupad in the Introduction of Sri Isopanisad: “We cannot, therefore, expect knowledge (veda) with these imperfect senses. With all these deficiencies, in conditioned life we cannot give perfect knowledge to anyone. Nor are we ourselves perfect. Therefore we accept the Vedas as they are.” The Vedas are the source of perfect knowledge, because they come from God. They are not a compilation of human knowledge. Hence, if one understands and imbibes the Vedas as they are, then they will receive perfect knowledge.

1. All phenomena have natural causes.

This statement is incorrect. Scientists say that all phenomena have natural causes. The words “natural causes” are just buzzwords to cover up the truth that everything was caused by God. For example, Alan Turing promoted evolution, or the constant changing and improving of a species, in order to counter the existence of God. Krishna does exist, though, and it is explained in Bhagavad Gita 10.8. “I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in my devotional service and worship me with all their hearts.”

1. Nothing is self-evident.

This statement is incorrect. By stating this, the scientists are saying that we should not accept anything blindly and that we should always experiment everything and figure it out to understand whether something is right or wrong. The scientists are pushing their agenda that one should not believe in God, because they think that religion is blind faith. The scientists believe is anumana-pramana, or inductive reasoning. However, the true reasoning is shabda-pramana or deductive reasoning. As Srila Prabhupada explains in the Introduction of Sri Isopanisad, “Since Vedic knowledge is pure, we accept it. Whatever Krishna says, we accept. This is Krishna consciousness, That saves much time. If you accept the right authority, or source of knowledge, then you save much time. For example, there are two systems of knowledge in the material world: inductive and deductive. From deductive, you accept that man is mortal. Your father says man is mortal, your sister says man is mortal, everyone says man is mortal- but you do not experiment. You accept it as a fact that man is mortal. If you want to research to find out whether man is mortal, you have to study each and every man, and you may come to think that there may be some man who is not dying but you have not seen him yet. So in this way your research will never be finished. In Sanskrit this process is called āroha, the ascending process. If you want to attain knowledge by any personal endeavor, by exercising your imperfect senses, you will never come to the right conclusions. That is not possible.” Like the idea that man is mortal, there are other self-evident, or obvious truths that we accept. For example, all humans have a biological mother and father. No matter whether they are born normally, or by test-tube.

1. Knowledge is derived from acquisition of experience.

As shown in earlier explanations, this statement is also incorrect because we have the four deficiencies as human beings. Because of these defects, we get illusioned by our experiences. We accept something which is not. For example, Srila Prabhupada says, “Everyone is accepting the body as the self. If I ask you what you are, you will say, ‘I am Mr. John, I am rich man; I am this; I am that.’ All these are bodily identifications. But you are not this body. This is illusion.” Therefore, we may get incorrect and/or incomplete knowledge by acquisition of experience.

1. Knowledge is superior to ignorance.

This statement is only partially correct. Not all knowledge is superior to ignorance. Eg - A person who knows Harry potter and can talk about it at length does not mean that their knowledge is of any use. Any knowledge which takes you away from Krsna is dangerous. It is better to be ignorant than to contain so much material knowledge which makes you forget Krsna. Only perfect knowledge is superior ignorance. Srila Prabhupada says, “The Vedas are not compilations of human knowledge. Vedic knowledge comes from the spiritual world, from Lord Kṛṣṇa. Another name for the Vedas is śruti. Śruti refers to that knowledge which is acquired by hearing. It is not experimental knowledge. Śruti is considered to be like a mother. We take so much knowledge from our mother. For example, if you want to know who your father is, who can answer you? Your mother. If the mother says, "Here is your father," you have to accept it. It is not possible to experiment to find out whether he is your father. Similarly, if you want to know something beyond your experience, beyond your experimental knowledge, beyond the activities of the senses, then you have to accept the Vedas. There is no question of experimenting. It has already been experimented. It is already settled. The version of the mother, for instance, has to be accepted as truth. There is no other way.” Hence, perfect knowledge is the Vedas. The Vedas are the ones which are superior to any kind of knowledge.