Edward O Wilson interviewed in Salon.com today:
Would you be comfortable saying that science can have a sacred
dimension?
Sacred, yes, in the sense of spirituality. This would be based upon a
deeper understanding of just how intricate and surprising the universe
is. The story of the origin of life on this planet -- the time scale,
the magnitude of it, the complexity of how it has been put together --
all of that engenders in me even more awe than I ever felt as a devout
Southern Baptist growing up.
You grew up in a religious family?
Oh yes, I grew up fundamentalist. I grew up as a Southern Baptist with
strict adherence to the Bible, which I read as a youngster. As a child,
I was warned by counselors and routine religious training that the
truth was in the Bible. Redemption was only in Christ and the world is
full of Satanic force. Satan himself perhaps -- but certainly his
agents, witting and unwitting -- would try to make me drop my belief. I
had that instilled in me. You have to understand how powerful the
religious drive is -- the instinct which I consider tribalist but
probably necessary -- in most societies for continuing day-to-day
business.
That's an interesting perspective. Basically, you're saying it's
necessary but it's wrong.
Well, you see, that's the dilemma of the 21st century. Possibly the
greatest philosophical question of the 21st century is the resolution
of religious faith with the growing realization of the very different
nature of the material world. You could say that we evolved to accept
one truth -- the religious instinct -- but then discovered another. And
having discovered another, what are we to do? You might say it's just
best to go ahead and accept the two worldviews and let them live side
by side. I see no other solution. I believe they can use their
different worldviews to solve some of the great problems -- for
example, the environment. But generally speaking, the difficulty in
saying they can live side by side is a sectarianism in the world today,
and traditional religions can be exclusionary and used to justify
violence and war. You just can't deny that this is a major problem.
Douglas Barbour
11655 - 72 Avenue NW
Edmonton Ab T6G 0B9
(780) 436 3320
What’s received’s given out
in smaller measure. The speaker as hearer
comprehends what he can’t
say, a music of what sounds him.
Wayne Clifford
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