Feb 012012
Comparison of these 3 ideologies on the basis of view of Reality, Human Being, Human purpose, basic perspectives, definition of knowledge, laws, outcomes, etc.
| Materialism | Coexistentialism (Alternative) | Spiritualism/Idealism | ||
| B a s i cP o s t u l a t i o n s B a s i cP o s t u l a t i o n s |
Human | – Human = Body | – Human = conscious unit + physiochemical body. Both are ‘substances’, have mass. | -Human is not only the body. Discussion of ‘soul’ not clear. |
| – ‘Mind-Body’ problem unresolved | -‘Mind’ is one of the faculties in the conscious-unit. The ‘conscious-unit’ communicates with the body via the brain. | – Mind-Body relation unclear. Mind is not the body, nature of mind unclear | ||
| – ‘Consciousness’ arises from the brain– Brain (or states thereof) is the seer, doer and enjoyer. ‘I’ exists in the brain | – Conscious unit is a constitutionally-complete atom with 10 activities. It has ‘consciousness’ being in space. Space is ‘consciousnesses manifested via the conscious unit.- Conscious unit (Self) is the seer, doer & enjoyer. ‘I’ is the conscious unit. | – Relationship between ‘conscious unit’ and ‘consciousness’ unclear. Talk of ‘universal consciousness’- – Seer, doer and enjoyer either a unit, or space, or almighty unclear. Nature and identity of ‘I’ unclear, ‘I’ denied. | ||
| Existence | – Existence is unstable, indefinite, its purpose unclear- Fundamental source of energy in the universe unclear– Matter is indestructible neither created nor destroyed. Undergoes change-Existence is physiochemical matter. Attributes of ‘space’ unclear. Search for ‘God particle’ . Atom exists, but not recognized as unit of orderliness | – Existence is stable, is coexistence, in harmony. There is definiteness & self-ingrained purpose in existence– Space itself is energy in equilibrium, but not an ‘activity’– Matter is indestructible, neither created nor destroyed. Undergoes change. Matter is conscious and physiochemical in nature. Both are ‘units’ & have mass. There is no ‘centralization’ in existence.– Existence = conscious and physiochemical nature saturated in all-pervasive-entity (space, omnipotence) –-Atom is the fundamental unit of orderliness | – Existence is an outcome of divine powers, will- Notion of ‘Universal Energy’- Notion of creator, destroyer, sustainer, controller- Building blocks of existence unclear, mysticalVarious theories, atomists, etc. | |
| Human Purpose | -Happiness =sensory pleasure = consumption, carnality. Profit to fulfill these.– ‘Purpose of living’ outside the domain of study. Randomization. | -‘Resolution’ from wisdom = harmony in the Self = happiness.- Purpose of living is ‘Resolution’, awakening of all activities in conscious unit ‘jeevan’ & fulfill ‘universal human-goal’ on this planet | – Happiness is in heaven, or good deeds here, etc- Purpose of living: liberation or moksha (release from rebirth) | |
| Basic perspective (sight) | Instability-indefiniteness-rooted physiochemical matter-centric thought | Existence-rooted human centric contemplation | – Mysticism-rooted god centric thought | |
| Definition of Knowledge | Limited to Analytical-logical, sense-observed phenomena . | -Knowledge of realistic-view of existence, -Knowledge of self, (jeevan) -Knowledge of humane conduct – Wisdom, Science | – Scriptural learning or direct insight (cannot be told in words, not expressed). Knowledge of ‘oneness’ or ‘pure-consciousness’ | |
| Object of study | – Limited to physical-chemical nature (matter) | – Material & conscious nature (Self) and space | – Varies: Self, to scriptural | |
| Method of Study | -Mathematical, sensory-cognition, study of agitated states-Stress on self-verification, Objectivity | Holistic-study of realities in existence using all faculties of cognition. Study of stable states– Stress on self-verification. ‘Assume only after you know’. ‘Objectivity’ is known by the ‘Subject’ (conscious unit) | – Devotion, Meditative practicesAssumption prevalent, verification rarely proposed | |
| Dimensions of study of reality | Appearance & Properties (Only sensory-observable and measurable aspects: form-full dimensions of reality) | Appearance, Properties, Innate-nature, Inseparability & Truth (sensory-observable as well as formless dimensions of reality) | – Theories of Spirit, etc(only form-less dimensions) | |
| Evidence, Proof | Evidence of Instruments (basis is mathematical-logical-inferential-observed) | Evidence of realization, behavior & experiment: (basis is experiential, logical inferential & observed) | Unclear, mystical (basis is revelation, or experiential) | |
| Laws | – Laws of behavior in physiochemical matter, study of their properties by relative cause & effect | All Laws are natural to existence. ‘Law, Restraint, & Balance’ in rest of nature. In Human: ‘Intellectual Law’ (within human), ‘Social Law-Justice’ (human-human relation), Natural-Law (human-nature relation).–Laws of relative cause & effect are for technology – in line with ‘natural laws’ | Human Laws as revealed in the scriptures.Physiochemical laws not discussed. | |
| Nomenclature | Materialism (Science) | Madhyasth-Darshan Coexistentialism | Spiritualism, Pantheism, Super-Naturalism | |
| Goal of Living, Goal of Human Society | Survival of the fittest, Happiness via Consumption | – 1) Intellectual resolution in every individual via knowledge; (harmony in individual) – 2) Material Prosperity in every family, (harmony in family) – 3) Fearlessness in Society, (harmony in society) – 4) Coexistence with nature (harmony in nature) | Union with God, Heaven. Fulfillment of design will, as revealed in Scriptures. Or, release from cycle of rebirth | |
| Lifestyle | Comforts-accumulation | Intellectual Resolution, Material Prosperity | Devotion-renunciation | |
| Result of Lifestyle | Mass Consumption, Ecological problem, Earth in danger | Right-utilization, fulfillment of human-relationships, balance in nature | Heaven or individual-bliss | |
| Aim of Education | Survival, Competition | Consciousness-development, human values, Coexistence | Scriptural conformance | |
| Result of Education | – Excess-consumption, excess-profit, excess-carnality. Individualism | Confidence in Self, Respect for excellence, sociable in behavior, self-sufficiency in occupation | Renunciation or Communalism (communal-mentality) | |
| Mentality | Will not produce, Will consume | Will produce, Will consume | Will not produce, Will not consume, or reduction of needs | |
| Desirable Outcomes so far | Progress in food-shelter-decoration & remote-communication, remote-viewing & remote-transport | Proposed: Undivided Human Society & Universal Orderliness | – Human Language – Messages, sermons & well-wishes for goodness | |
| Undesirable Outcomes so far | Pollution & Resource Depletion, ecological crisis -Individualism. – Rejection of alternative modes of knowledge | To be studied, lived & found out | – Rejection of Logic – communal-mentality: divisions in humankind based on differing assumptions | |
| Fundamental Basis: (Darsana or realistic-view) | Study of physical-chemical reality: via ‘relative cause & effect’ : accepted logical and mathematical hypothesis | Study & realization of Actuality, Reality & Truth : as realistic-view (darsana) – ‘absolute truth & ultimate cause’ | Divine Decree, Scriptural authority | |
| Basis in Thought (vaada, or ‘ism) | – Conflict-centric Materialism- Struggle-centric Humanism | – Resolution-centric Materialism– Realization/Experience Centric Spiritualism– Behavior-centric Humanism | – Mysticism-centric Spiritualism | |
| Basis in Living (shaastra, or code of conduct) |
– Consumptive Sociology– Exploitative Economics- Sex-oriented Psychology | – Behavioral Sociology- Cyclical Economics- Human-consciousness oriented Psychology | – Scriptural Sociology | |
| Law Frameworks | – Constitution Differs by nation-state | – Humane Constitution: based on human code of ethics: coherence in education, human conduct, constitution & human-systems | -Divine Design, or ancient written documents | |
February 1, 2012
Uncategorized