Abstract: The Goal of Science and Philosophy is one and the same – to find the Truth behind the creation of this Universe and Life. Scientists, in this process, during the last four centuries, discovered four forces of Nature: 1. The Gravitational Force that explains planetary motions, stars and Galactic structures, etc. 2. The Electromagnetic Force that explains magnetic and electric phenomena, Optical phenomena, Crstal phenomena, Communication phenomena, etc. 3. The Weak Force that explains Radioactive phenomena, and 4. The Strong Force that explains phenomena like nuclear Fission and Fusion.
Scientists must apply different theories to explain different phenomena taking place in different parts of the Universe. They are not happy and so want to merge all the Four Forces into one single Super Force that can explain all phenomena that are taking place right from the subatomic level to the Cosmic level. Scientists have been facing difficulties in merging these four forces. Instead of convergence, divergent theories like Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, Grand Unified Theories, Catastrophe and Chaos theories, String Theory, Multi-Universe Theory, Simulated Universe Theory, Integrated Information Theory, Consciousness theories, etc. have emerged. It is interesting to note majority of universities, around the world, started Consciousness Study Divisions studying Mind-engaged in finding solutions to Mind-Body problem, Hard problem of Consciousness, quantum entanglement in the light developments in Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning. Coming to various Religious Philosophies, existing over thousands of years, instead of converging, more divergent philosophies have emerged. It is estimated that there are nearly 10,000 Religious faiths existing currently. However, 85% of population subscribe to one of the four major Religions: 1. Christianity. 2. Islam. 3. Hinduism, and 4. Buddhism. These major Religions are further subdivided into three or four branches, each claiming superiority over the other.
For example, in Hinduism, there are six different philosophies: Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Poorva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa. The Uttara Mimamsa is further divided into three philosophies: Advaita, Visishtadvaita, and Dvaita. It is interesting to observe, in each of the major religions, the Holy Books are the same. How so many branches evolved? The only explanation is misinterpretation due to lack of clear understanding of what is presented in the Holy books. Another reason is that people sticking to their faiths, what their forefathers followed without applying their minds. In such a situation of Science and Religious beliefs, how to find Truth, which is the topic of this paper. The approach followed here is to define the Truth or Reality in the first place, and then apply a process called “Negation”. That is eliminating one by one of Science Theories and Religious beliefs that are not Real. After elimination of what is not Real, what remains at the end must be the Truth.
About the speaker: After post-graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering (Design) from Government College of Engineering, Trivandrum, Mr. N.S. Prasad joined Space Science and Technology Centre, Trivandrum in 1969, in Aerodynamics division, as Project Engineer, RH-75 and Rh-100 Rocket development for Meteorological Applications. He Joined SLV3 project as Project Engineer, Integration and Launch Complex, with Dr. Abdul Kalam, as Project Manager. He joined PSLV project as Project Manager, Integration and Launch Complex with Dr. Sreenivasan as Project Director. At Bangalore, he set up Structural Test Facility for Aluminium inter-stage structures, Fabricated at HAL. After Completion of PSLV project, he Joined ISRO Satellite Centre in 1994. Worked on Microgravity Applications Recoverable Satellite. The project was approved by the Charman, ISRO, and a test Satellite was successfully recovered from the orbit. After retirement, in 2001, he worked as Professor, Mechanical Engineering, at BCET, City engineering college and at BNMIT, and retired at the end of 2013.