Science, Humanities and Religion - S. Radhakrishnan
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The Writer and the Essay at a glance:-
Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan (1888- 1975) was primarily a teacher and a philosopher, though, after independence, he occupied very high post in the Government and acquired himself with distinction. He was the Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962, and President from 1962 to 1967.
Dr. Radhakrishnan authored many scholarly books, the more famous being The Hindu view of Life' and 'Indian Philosophy'.
This present piece is the text, with a slight modification, of a speech be delivered at the Aligarh Muslim University.
Summary of the Essay 'Science, Humanities and Religion':-
A University is a community of students and teachers, their purpose being the advancement and dissemination of knowledge. But if they are distracted from this noble purpose, there is a jeopardy to the community.
Referring to the fight for Indian Independence, he says that it is to win freedom than to preserve it. If we cannot provide food and necessaries of life to our huge population, we are not free in the real sense. In the easier post-independence period every one of us has a responsibility of his own for the progress of the nation. Actually the aim of University education is provide us with knowledge and skill so as to perform our responsibility and build our country.
Talking of the different faculties of the University, the author says that Sciences and Humanities have values of their own, but theology is not less We are well aware of the wonders of science that have almost transformed this world But along with this achievement of Science we have to make our contribution also to keep ourselves apace with this Scientific progress by teaching our students the best that is possible in Science and technology.
Humanities are also important for the development of individuality Humanities tell us about our own nature, our impulses and our aspirations Still Science and Humanities only touch the surface of the reality. You have also to think of your spirit from which all other things emanate. Actually it is the living spirit that disciplines and controls the mind and makes us happy While science and the Humanities touch the periphery of one's personality, the living spirit is the real man and science and humanities are its outward expressions. Religion is also necessary for the development of real man, the inner spirit but Sectarian religion does it harm. It makes us hate one another. The true spirit of religion is the inward awareness and outward compassion.
The Quranic prayer tells us to recognise humbly and respectfully that there is a superior being, a higher reality of which we are all off shoots. That the reality is raised above the phenomenal world. It is something that you cannot grasp while losing yourself in the outside world.
That there is no one royal road to salvation. There are as many ways to God as there are human hearts, and God has not refused a messenger to any community. We have the liberty to progress and practice any religion we like.
The three different faculties, Sciences, Humanities and Religion should be worked together as parts of one whole. Knowledge is one and it cannot be divided against itself. Again, whatever learning, skill and knowledge we possess must be used for the betterment of the whole race so that our goal of one-world comes nearer and nearer. Universal love should be the aim of our culture and development. Every human being is our brother, howsoever depraved, wicked and deformed he may be. Everybody should be given a chance to improve.
In the end, the author wishes the University all progress, all glory and international fame. He lays emphasis on honest work because is by honest work and not by shouting slogans that any achievement can be made. It is honest work, noble spirit and dedication to a noble cause that are required for higher achievement. The moment a man is alienated from his noble spirit and dedication to work, he suffers from neurosis and mental derangement and disability because that would be going away from your central spirit. So one must remember the source of all power and bliss which is his inner being. It is this source that keeps a man calm even in critical situations. One must remember that there is one God and one family on earth. Your happiness is linked with the happiness of the world.
Points to remember:-
1. The purpose of the community of the teaches and the taught is to advance and disseminate knowledge.
2. It is easier to win freedom than to preserve it. 3. The aim of university education is to provide ourselves with knowledge and skill so as to he able to build our country.
4. The three faculties - Science, Humanities and Religion have advantages of their own
5. Science and Humanities touch the periphery only, the inner spirit of man is the main thing to be looked to 6. Religion is more important than Science and Humanities but Sectarian religion does harm to human beings when they begin to hate one another.
7. The true spirit of religion is inward awareness and outward compassion.
8. The Quranic prayer tells that there is a superior being, a higher reality which we are all off-shoots.
9. There is no one royal road to salvation, there are as many ways to God as there are hearts of men.
10. One must remember that there is one God and one family on earth. Paragraph-wise detailed study of the Essay.